90 



TRAVELS IN BRAZIL, 



NOTE TO CHAPTER IL 



The following plants are generally known in the capi- 

 tania of S. Paulo on account of their uses : — 



1. Ayapana. Even L'Heritier, who has described 

 it as Eitpatorium Ayapana, (Willd. sp. 3. 1769.) recom- 

 mends it as a very powerful antidote against the bite of 

 venomous serpents and malignant insects. The mode of 

 applying it is this: — A quantity of the leaves bruised, 

 which is to be frequently changed, is laid on the scarified 

 wound, and some spoonfuls of the expressed juice are from 

 time to time administered to the patient, till he is found 

 to be free from the symptoms, particularly the dreadful 

 anxiety. 



2. Erva da cobra. Milcania opifera, Mart. [Glabra, 

 caule angulato scandente, foliis lato-ovatis acuminatis, 

 cordatis, repando-dentatis vel subintegerrimis, adultis ob- 

 tusiiisculis, Jloribus corymboso-j^aiiicidatis.) Allied to M. 

 scandens. The expressed juice is used externally and 

 internally ; the bruised herb, moistened with oil, is applied 

 as a poultice to wounds caused by the bite of venomous 

 serpents. It is said to effect a crisis, especially by pro- 

 motion of urine. See on this subject, Gomez, in the 

 Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Lisbon, 1812. ii. p. 23., 

 where this plant is described as Eupatoriim crenatum. The 

 family of the composite^ has many species which seem to 



