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of which rises a stem of about six inches in height^ 

 divided at the top into many branches covered with 

 leaves less than the radical, and very small bell- 

 shaped flowers arranged in an umbellate order. 

 Pernetty, in his Voyage to the Malouine Islands, 

 observes, that this plant, particularly the root, is one 

 of the most powerful vegetable astringents known, 

 and is likewise very excellent for the cure of ul- 

 cers and scrophulous complaints, and of great ser- 

 vice in the dysentery — properties ascertained by the 

 daily experience of the Chilians. 



In the province of Quillota is a species of the 

 acacia, or mimosa, called by the Spaniards janV/í?, 

 which affords a balsam of great efficacy in healing 

 wounds. This balsam exudes from the branches 

 and the leaves, and renders them viscous to the 

 touch; it exhales a very agreeable odour which is 

 perceptible at a great distance. The jarilla grows 

 to about five feet; the leaves are winged and notched 

 at the edges ; the flowers are yellow and divided 

 into five petals, and produce a small berry, contain- 

 ing two or three kidney- shaped seeds. 



The expressed juice of the palqui (cestrum noc- 

 turnum) is considered as the best known remedy 

 for inflammatory fevers ; it is bitter and of an un- 

 pleasant taste, but very cool and refreshing. The 

 leaves of this shrub w^re formerly considered 

 by the husbandmen as poisonous to cattle, but 

 modern experiments have proved the unfoundedness 

 of this opinion. In its appearance and smell the 

 palqui resembles the elder, but the leaves are single, . 

 alternate and oblong; the flowers are corymbic, 



