Angelim, Skolemora Pernambucensis:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.
The fruit of this tree possesses the strongest vegetable anthelminthic properties with which I am acquainted. It is necessary to be careful in the use of it, for if the dose is too large, the medicine will attack the nervous system, and produce convulsions. The common dose is one-fourth part of a seed for an adult. I know of three species of this plant.
Batata de purga, Convolvulus mechoacan.
The root of this species of convolvulus is tuberose; and a dose of two drachms of the fecula is sufficient as a purgative. The root is cut into small slices that it may be dried with more ease; a thread is then passed through the middle of each slice, for the purpose of exposing them for sale. It is a gentle purgative, and is now much in use, therefore it is worthy of being cultivated. It may be observed as being remarkable, that quantities of the root are sometimes sold by the peasants which have little effect. This ought to be attributed to its being gathered out of season. All plants should be gathered after their maturation. Thus the batata de purga should be gathered after the fruit and leaves have dried, but before the rains come on. I have observed in Pernambuco two species of convolvulus, of tuberose roots, both of which are purgative, and the prepared root of both is commonly known under the name of purga de batata; one of these is the true convolvulus mechoacan, and is different from the other in leaf, branch, and fruit; of this I have given the description in my Centuria of new plants.[279]
Papo de Peru, Aristolochia grandiflora:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.
This beautiful species of aristolochia, which I first met with in the torrents of Cariri Novo, is medicinal, and is worthy of being cultivated in gardens, not only for its utility, but likewise on account of the beauty and size of its flower. Besides this, I am acquainted with five species of aristolochia, some of which may be made useful. The plant is commonly called angelicò.
Mangabeira, Ribeirea sorbilis. This tree grows well in the sandy lands of the taboleiros; the fruit varies from the size of a pigeon’s egg to that of a pullet’s; the colour is a greenish yellow, spotted with red; it is almost of the consistence of the service; and is well known in the markets of Pernambuco and Bahia. Considerable numbers of these trees are now cultivated in the neighbourhood of Olinda; and the attention which is paid to the tree has improved the fruit. If this is pounded spirituous fermentation takes place with great ease, and from this passes to acetosity; thus the juice forms most excellent vinegar, in a very short period, which I found to be stronger than that of the grape, of the sugar cane, of bananas or of cambuins. I have described this new genus in my Cent. Plant. Pern. dedicating it to my disciple P. Joam Ribeiro Pessoa de Mello Montenegro, professor of drawing in the seminary of Olinda. He is worthy of this honour, not only from having attempted to introduce into this captaincy the cultivation of some useful exotic plants, but from the curious and philosophical examination which he has made respecting the wonderful phenomenon of the manner of the fructification of the mangabeira plant, which will be found in my Centuria Plant. Pern.
Oiti Coroia, Pleragina rufa:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.
Oiti da Praia, Pleragina odorata:—Arrud. Cent. Plant. Pern.
Oiticica or Catingueira, Pleragina umbrosissima.