• TRAVELS IN BRAZIL. 



99 



are very common, particularly where the woods have been 

 cleared and cultivated. 



39. Erva DE Andourinha. Eupho7'bia Linearis^ Retz., 

 and hypericifolia^ L. The milky juice of this little plant is 

 used in ulceribus syphiliticis partium teneriorum. It is sin- 

 gular that there is a notion throughout Brazil, that this juice 

 dropped into a fresh wound in the apple of the eye, imme- 

 diately effects a cure. We were often assured, that this ex- 

 periment had been tried with success upon fowls. 



40. Jatahy, or Jatehy, also Copal, in Minas Geraes 

 Jatoba, is the resin of the Hymencea Courharil, L. It is 

 used, not only for various kinds of varnish, but also against 

 tedious coughs, weakness of the lungs, spitting of blood, 

 and incipient phthisis pulmonalis. The curadores have a 

 method of mixing it with sugar and rum, so as to make a 

 very agreeable emulsion, or syrup. 



41 . Great use is made in domestic medicine, both against 

 wounds and syphilitic disorders, of the copaiva balsam, 

 which the Paulistas obtain from two different species of 

 Cupaiva. Copaifera Langsdoyffii, Desf., and C coriacea. 

 Mart. {Foliis hi- vel tri-jugis, foliolis ellipticis emarginatis 

 coriaceis reticulato-venosis utriiique glahris suhtus glauce- 

 scentibus, Jloribus pmiiculatis.) 



42. Erva Pombinha. Pliyllanthus Niruri, L., and Ph, 

 microphillus, Mart. [Siiffriiticosus, glaber, ramosisshnuSy ramis 

 pinnceformibus, foliolis alternis obovato-orbicularibus subtus 

 glaucis, pedunculis solitariis geminisve superioribus masculis, 

 inferioribus fcemineis.) Both kinds are said to be specific 

 against diabetes. They particularly use the decoction of 

 the bruised herb and seed. 



43. Jatropha Curcas, L. It produces the Pinhoes de 

 PuRGA, one of the strongest drastica. In a fresh state 

 one seed is sufficient . for a good dose. They often occa-* 

 sion a violent vomiting, for which reason the seeds of the 

 following tree are preferred : — 



H 2 



