398 SOLANACES. 
Corolla monopetalous, hypogynous ; limb 5-cleft, rarely 4-cleft, 
regular, or a little unequal, deciduous, with the estivation pli- 
cate in the legitimate genera; but imbricate in the spurious 
ones. Stamens epipetalous, equal in number to the segments of 
the corolla, and alternating with them, one of which is some- 
times abortive. Ovarium 1-2-3-4-celled, many-seeded. Style 
one; stigma obtuse, rarely lobed. Fruit or pericarp 2-4-celled ; 
a capsule with a parallel or duplicate dissepiment ; or a berry 
having the placentas adnate to the dissepiment. Seeds nume- 
rous, sessile. Albumen fleshy. Embryo inclosed, more or less 
arched, usually excentrical, with the radicle tending to the um- 
bilieus.—Herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, undivided or 
lobed: floral ones placed nigh together, often twin. Inflo- 
rescence variable, usually extra-axillary ; pedicels bractless. 
This order is distinguished from Scrophulérine, particularly in 
the arched or spiral embryo; in the plicate zestivation of the 
corolla, and in the flowers being generally regular, and the 
stamens equal.— Perhaps those genera, having the zestivation of 
the corolla not plicate, and the embryo straight, should be ex- 
cluded, or combined into a separate order with those having the 
zestivation of the corolla imbricate, the embryo arched, and the 
stamens didynamous. 
The Deadly Nightshade represents this order, which partici- 
pates very generally in its qualities, although they are very fre- 
quently hidden beneath a fairer form, and often much mitigated. 
Many of the Solanums are very handsome. The root of S. 
tuberüsum is the common potatoe. The Ferbáscums, Datiras, 
Solándras, and Brunfélsias, &c. are all plants of great beauty, 
although the former, on account of their frequency, are des- 
pised in gardens. Cdpsicums are famous for their pungent 
fruits and seeds; the Cayenne pepper being the pulverized 
fruit of several species; Brunfélsias for their fragrance and 
beauty ; and Nicotianas or Tobacco for their fetor. The leaves 
of the whole order have a disagreeable smell. The usual effect 
of solanaceous plants is narcotic; but it is thought that this has 
been exaggerated on account of the intense and deleterious pro- 
perties of A'tropa Belladónna. These, according to the observa- 
tions of Vauquelin, depend upon the presence of a bitter, nau- 
seous matter, which is soluble in spirits of wine, forming with 
tannin an insoluble compound ; and giving out ammonia when 
decomposed by fire. Notwithstanding the narcotic power of the 
roots of Mandrake, the Belladónna, and others, those of the 
potatoe are found to contain an abundant fecula, which is among 
the most valuable food for man. The leaves of many Solana- 
ceous plants are exciting and narcotic, but in very unequal de- 
gree, as in Tobacco, Physàlis, Henbane, &c.; those of the 
Nightshade excite vertigo, convulsions, and vomiting. The 
juice of Stramónium is given in North America in doses of from 
20 to 30 grains, in cases of epilepsy. The fruit of Physdlis 
Alkekéngi is a veterinary diuretic ; those of P. edàlis, pubéscens, 
and others, are used in tarts; that of Lycopérsicum vulgare, and 
that of the Solanum Melongéna, are served at'tables in various 
forms, under the name of Tomatoes and Aubergines. 
Synopsis of the genera. 
Trige I. 
Sora'wEx. Limb of corolla plicate in zstivation. Stamens 
equal in number to the segments of the corolla. Anthers dehis- 
cing lengthwise, except in the genus Solanum. Embryo much 
curved. Fruit baccate. Placentas usually adnate to the disse- 
piment. 
1 Sota‘num. Calyx 5-cleft, rarely 4-cleft. Corolla rotate, 
rarely campanulate, usually 5-cleft. Anthers connivent, de- 
hiscing by pores at apex. Berry 2, rarely 4-celled. 
2 Lycore’rsicum. Calyx 5-6-parted. Corolla rotate, 5- 
6-cleft. Anthers conniving, membranous at top, dehiscing 
lengthwise. Berry 2-3-celled. Seeds villous. 
3 PELTANTHE'RA. Calyx 5-parted. Corolla rotate. An- 
thers hamately-sagittate, dehiscing lengthwise, furnished each 
with a peltate, sessile appendage on the back. 
4 Capsicum. Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla rotate. Anthers 
conniving, dehiscing lengthwise. Berry 2, rarely 3-celled, 
chartaceous, hollow, naked. 
5 Puvsa'Lr. Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla campanulately ro- 
tate. Anthers connivent, dehiscing lengthwise. Berry 2-celled, 
hidden by the inflated calyx. - 
6 Sana'cua. Calyx 5-cleft. Corolla campanulately rotate, 
reflexed. Stamens bearded. Anthers separate, dehiscing length- 
wise. Berry 2-celled, covered by the calyx to the middle. 
7 WirHERYNGIA. Calyx 4-5-cleft. Corolla rotate, 4-5- 
cleft. Anthers connivent, dehiscing lengthwise. Berry 2- 
celled, propped by the calyx. 
8 Nrrov'xia. Calyx 5-parted. 
throat furnished with an entire, tubular, short corona. 
dehiscing lengthwise. 
9 Manpra’cora. Calyx turbinate, 5-cleft. Corolla campa- 
nulate. Stamens dilated at the base, and connivent. Ovarium 
biglandular at the base. Berry solid, 1-celled. 
10 A’trora. Calyx loose, 5-cleft. Corolla campanulate, 
ventricose. Stamens usually exserted. Stigma depressed. 
Berry 2-celled ; placentas free. 
11 Axisópus. Calyx campanulate, unequally 5-lobed. Co- 
rola campanulate. Stamens straight. Berry 2-celled, in- 
closed in the inflated calyx, operculate. 
12 Nica’npra. Calyx 5-parted, inflated; segments sagit- 
tate. Corolla campanulate. Stamens incurved. Berry fleshy, 
dry, 3-5-celled, covered by the calyx. 
13 Lycium. Calyx 5-toothed, or 3-5-lobed. Corolla fun- 
nel-shaped or tubular. Stamens usually exserted. Stigma de- 
pressed. Berry 2-celled. 
14 Acnistus. Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla funnel-shaped ; 
limb imbricate in zestivation, reflexed. Stamens exserted. 
Stigma funnel-shaped. Berry 2-celled. 
15 Japardsa. Calyx 5-cleft. Corolla campanulate or 
tubular; limb induplicate in zestivation. Stamens short, in- 
serted towards the top of the tube. Berry 2-3-celled. 
Corolla salver-shaped ; 
Anthers 
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