rJV E. CHEEL. 585 



other is identical with the European plant, and has probably 

 come here with English seeds. It is remarkable that the 

 children eat the berries of >S'. niyriim with impunity." The late 

 F. M. Bailey, C.M.G., Colonial Botanist of Queensland, has also 

 noted two distinct forms, as will be seen by his statement which 

 I will give further on. Mr. C. T. Musson, in submitting speci- 

 mens to the National Herbarium for determination, has als(j 

 drawn attention to two distinct forms. In studying the plants 

 in the field, as well as the numerous herbarium-specimens con- 

 tained in the National Herbarium Collection from a large number 

 of localities in Australia and the Pacific Islands, it seems to me 

 that we have at least three species which may be regarded as 

 indigenous, and easily recognised as distinct from the European 

 species. As stated above, a variety has been recorded for 

 Queensland by Bailey (5, 6) under the name Solannm nigrum var. 

 hninih, but whether this is the same as ^S'. hnmilfi of Bernhardi (12) 

 or of Lowe (50), I am not at present in a position to state, as I 

 have not had an opportunity of examining the living plants 

 in Queensland. It would appear, however, that the plants men- 

 tioned by Bailey, are different from those quoted by Lowe from 

 Mogador, as the latter are described as being "very like S. 

 nigrum L., but of humble growth, with smoother, somewhat 

 smaller leaves, and waxy-looking, pale, dull ochre-yellow berries." 



If we review the various statements made in connection with 

 the poisonous or edible qualities of the plants recorded under the 

 name aS. nigrum, it will be found that the evidence is very con- 

 flicting, and that it is highly necessary to examine each form of 

 the so-called species separately, so as to be able to say whether 

 the berries of the decumbent plants are poisonous, and those of 

 the upright form are not, or vice versa, or if both forms are 

 equally bad. 



For the benefit of those who may be interested in the subject 

 as to whether the berries may be utilised as food for animals or 

 as a conserve or jam for human beings, I have gathered together 

 the following statements, which will give some idea as to the 

 difi'erent opinions. 



