102 BORAGINE.E. [CI. 8- 



Atropa, Physalis, Solarium, fig. 177, Witheringia, 

 Capsicum, Lycium, Cesfrum, Sec. 



The Flowers are rarely 4-cleft ; often irregular, as 

 occasionally in Solatium, which genus cannot safely 

 be divided on that account. The Albumen is more 

 correctly described, by Gaertner and Brown, as fleshy, 

 inclosing the curved Embryo. This curvature, and 

 the plaited Aestivation of the Corolla, which is not 

 ringent, or 2-lipped, Mr. Brown reckons the most 

 essential differences between this Order and the 

 Scrophulariaz. Bontia, Briuifelsia, and Crescentia are 

 subjoined as akin to Solanece. The genuine plants of 

 this Order are narcotic, fetid, often very dangerous, 

 termed by Linnaeus Luridce, or Gloomy. Verbascum 

 however, abounding with mucilage, is only mildly 

 sedative, and perfectly safe for internal use, though 

 intoxicating to fish. 



Ord. 42. Boragine/e. "Calyx 5-cleft, perma- 

 nent. Corolla almost universally regular, and Sta- 

 mens 5. Germen either simple or 4-lobed. Style 1. 

 Stigmadivided,or furrowed, or simple. Seeds mostly 

 4 ; sometimes in a capsular or pulpy pericarp; some- 

 times naked, attached obliquely to the base of the 

 Style, and encompassed with the (often greatly en- 

 larged) Calyx. Albumen none. Stem in most cases 

 herbaceous; rarely shrubby or arboreous. Leaves 

 alternate, often harsh/' (Stipulas wanting.) 



These, the Aspcrifoliaz of Ray and Linnaeus, com- 

 pose on the whole a very natural a ssemblage ; of 



