SOLANALES.] 



SOLANACEyE. 



621 



a narcotic, and, according to Orfila, its extract possesses nearly the same power as Let- 

 tucc-opiuni. In Brazil it is called Caracliichu, or Erva Moira ; and when bruised is 

 applied either in poultices or baths to painful wounds. Finally, to close the long list of 

 narcotics, it will be sufficient to mention Physalis somnifera. This plant is thought to 

 have been the SrpvxJ'os vttvwtlkos of Dioscorides. It is reputed to be narcotic, diuretic, 

 and alexipharmic. The leaves steeped in oil are, in India, applied to inflammatory 

 tumours ; and they are used in a similar way in Egypt. Kunth recognised it in Egyp- 

 tian mummies. 



The tonics are comparatively few. The Quina of Brazil is the produce of Solanum 

 pseudoquina, and is so powerful a bitter and febrifuge, that the Brazilians scarcely believe 

 that it is not the genuine Jesuits' Bark. It has been analysed by Vauquelin, who 

 found that it contained l-50th of a bitter resinoid matter, slightly soluble in water, about 

 1-1 2th of a vegetable bitter, and a number of other principles in minute quantities. 

 Cestrum Hediunda, auriculatum, laurifolium, and Pseudoquina have similar qualities. 

 Martins thinks that the bitterness of these plants is owing to some peculiar principle 

 residing in their bark. Several are found to have a diuretic action ; among which may 

 be named Physalis pubescens, viscosa, angulata, and Alkekengi (the Winter Cherry), 

 Nicandra physaloides, Solanum mammosum, paniculatum, nigrum, and guineense, with 

 many species of Cestrum, such as euanthes, laevigatum, corymbosum, Parqui and bractea- 

 tum. The latter are generally at the same time emollient, and ai'e applied in a fresh state 

 in cleansing wounds and ulcers. We are told, moreover, that the bruised leaves and 

 imripe fruits are much employed by the Brazilians in affections of the liver and in 

 catarrhus vesicae. A decoction of the flowers and leaves of Solanum cernuum is a 

 powerful sudorific, and is very serviceable in syphilis, inveterate gonoi'rhoea, and similar 

 complamts. 



The cases of pungency are confined to the fruit of the genus Capsicum, of which 

 numerous species are found in the tropics. The fruit and seeds ai'e powerful stimulants. 

 The well-known condiment called Cayenne Pepper consists principally of the ground 

 seeds. It is employed in medicine, in combination with Cmchona, in intermitteuts and 

 lethargic affections, and also in atonic gout, dyspepsia accompanied by flatulence, tjon- 

 panitis, paralysis, &.c. Its most valuable application appears, however, to be in cynanche 

 maligna and scarlatina maligna, used either as a gargle or administered internally. It is 

 generally stated that Capsicums have no narcotic quality; but it would appear that some 

 of the American species are an exception to that rule, as is the case with Capsicum toxi- 

 carium ; this, however, requires confirmation. That some species have fruits which are 

 neither narcotic nor pungent in any considerable degree, if at all, is most certain, for 

 many of them are common articles of food or cookery. But it is stated that the poison- 

 ous species derive their properties from the presence of a pulpy matter which surrounds 

 the seeds ; and that the wholesome kinds are destitute of this pulp, the fruit consisting 

 only of what Botanists call the sarcocarp ; that is to say, the centre of the rind, in a 

 more or less succulent state. This is not, however, a pomt by any means well esta- 

 bhshed. Tomatoes, the fruit of the Lycopersicum, commonly called Love Apples, in 

 allusion to the supposed power which they possess of exciting tender feehngs, are a 

 common mgredient in sauces. Egg Apples, also called Brmjals, or Aubergines, are pro- 

 duced by Solaimm Melongena ; but they are uneatable till the viscid juice which they 

 contain has been removed. Several are much esteemed in Peru ; the berries of So- 

 lanum muricatum and nemorense are commonly eaten ; and those of S. quitoense are 

 called Quito Oranges (Naranjitas de Quito). Muriti assures us that Mandrake Apples 

 are as harmless as they are beautiful and fragi-ant ; and the Kangaroo Apple, produced 

 by Solanum laciniatum, is a common food among the Tasmannians ; Mr. Backhouse 

 states, however, that although when perfectly ripe it may be eaten in any quantity with 

 impunity, yet, while unripe, it is acrid and produces a burning sensation in the throat. 



The common Potato, in a state of putrefaction, is said to give out a most vivid light, 

 sufficient to read by. This was particularly remarked by an officer on guard at Strasburgh, 

 w^ho thought the barracks were on fire, in consequence of the light thus emitted from a 

 cellar full of Potatoes. 



GENERA. 



I. Rectembry.b. 



Cestrum, Linn. 

 Dunalia, H. B. K. 



Dkrhachia, Spreng. 

 Habrothamnus, Endl. 



Meycnia, Schlecht. 

 Jochioma, Bcnth. 

 Acocanthera, G. Don. 

 Vestia, Willd. 

 Fabiana, Ruiz et Pav. 



Sessea, Ruiz et Pav. 

 Retzia, L. 



II. CURVEMBRY^E. 



Nierembergia, Ruiz et P. 

 Petunia, Juss. 

 Nicotiana, Tournef. 



Tabacus, Monch. 



Codylis, Raf. 



Sacranthus, Don. 



Nyctagella, Reichenb. 



Polydiclia, Don. 



Tabacum, Reichenb. 



Tabacina, Reichenb. 

 Lehmannia, Sprem). 

 Nectouxia, //. B. K. 

 Laureria, Schlecht. 

 Marckea, L. C. Rich. 



Lamarckea, Pers. 

 Anthotroche, Emil. 

 Callibrachoa, Llav. 



Metternichia, Mik. 

 Datura, Linn. 



Strattioniuvi, Tournef. 



Bnipmansia, Pers. 



Dutni, Hernh. 



Ccratocaulis, Bernh. 

 Solandra, Swartz. 



Smirtzia, Gmel. 

 Ilyoscyamus, Tournef. 

 1 PhysocUcna, G. Don. 

 IBelenia, Decaisne. 



