AmjJ°nu^arm-}       Vegetable  Drugs  Used  in  Mexico.  7 
known  as  calanccipatle  de  Mexico  (see  also  Amer.  Jour.  Pharm., 
1885,  p.  387),  and  differs  from  the  former  by  having  the  stem 
fbmentose  above,  and  the  leaves  obovate,  mucronate,  rough  above, 
and  with  two  lateral  nerves  running  from  the  mid- rib,  about  one- 
third  from  the  base. 
The  decoction  and  powder  of  both  plants  are  used  topically  as 
vulneraries  in  atonic  ulcers. 
Stevia  salicifolia,  Cavanilles.  The  tincture  of  the  fresh-flowering 
branches,  containing  volatile  oil  and  resin,  is  employed  in  rheumatic 
arthritis,  and  as  a  substitute  for  arnica  in  contusions.  The  popular 
name  of  the  plant  is  zazale  de  olor,  which  is  also  given  to  species  of 
Galium,  Mentzelia  and  other  adhesive  plants. 
Verbesina  Capitaneja,  Nees,  is  the  capitaneja  of  Mexico  (see  also 
Amer.  Jour.  Phar.,  1885,  p.  388).  Stem  erect,  four-winged;  leaves 
sessile,  decurrent,  opposite,  entire,  with  hexagonal  meshes  of  the 
veins ;  heads  radiate ;  involucral  scales  in  two  rows ;  receptacle 
chaffy ;  ligules  sterile,  oval,  with  four  nerves  uniting  above ;  disk- 
florets  perfect ;  akenes  oblong,  with  a  membranous  wing  and  two 
awns ;  inodorous.  V.  crocata  is  easily  distinguished  by  the  lower 
leaves  being  hastate,  and  the  upper  ones  pinnatifid.  Professor 
Leon  de  la  Pena  found  in  the  plant  neutral  and  acid  resins,  tannin, 
gum,  etc. 
Crucifercz. — Two  species  of  Lepidium  are  employed  under  the 
common  name  of  coclearia  del  pais.  L.  latifolium,  Lmn'e,  was 
introduced  by  D.  Vicente  Cervantes,  and  grows  near  Chapultepec, 
Toluca,  etc.  L.  virginicum,  Linn'e,  is  found  throughout  the  valley 
of  Mexico.  Both  are  employed  as  substitutes  for  Cochlearia  offi- 
cinalis, Linne.  But  the  popular  name  given  above  is  also  applied 
to  Ranunculus  tridentatus  and  Ran.  Cymbalaria,  Pursk,  which  have 
different  properties,  and  are  poisonous. 
Cyatheacece  (Filices). — Cyathea  mexicana  (  ?  )  Chamisso  et  Schlech- 
tendaly  is  the  ocopetate  or  cola  de  mono  of  Cordoba,  the  State  of 
Vera  Cruz,  etc.  The  hairs  covering  the  young  fronds  are  topically 
employed  for  their  haemostatic  properties  in  the  same  manner  as 
those  of  Cibotium  Baromez,  Kunze.  They  are  yellow,  curly,  soft, 
glossy,  articulated,  about  3  cm.  long,  inodorous  and  tasteless  ;  each 
plant  produces  from  15  to  20  gm.  of  hairs. 
Euphorbiacece. — Jatropha  Curcas,  Linne,  growing   in  Cordoba, 
