202 



TTTE JOURNAL OF LOTANT 



[ New Orleans Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. iii Gl-4-16 



(March 1847).] 



" ^11. — Description of a New (Jems of the Family of 



SOLANACEJD, WITH ReMABKS ON ITS CHARACTERS AND DliOPERTTES. 



" .... In this family some of the species are trees, others are 

 shrubs, or herbaceous plants, and they differ so much in appearance 

 and external characters, that it is very difficult to arrange them all in 

 the same classification. Some of the genera, indeed, contain species 

 which depart so far from the characteristic forms, that we must 

 necessarily separate them. Thus, I made some observations on the 

 genus Datura, or rather on some particular species of this genus living 

 only in the warmest regions of the globe. It seems that the Datum" 

 have not been very well studied in the aspect and various properties 

 which they present in the tropics. Some of these have characteristic 

 features so peculiar that they cannot with propriety be longer retained 

 in this genus— they evidently belong to different groups, and have 

 distinguishing generic characters. 



"I have, therefore, separated some species, forming a natural 

 group, from the true Daturas, and have formed of them the new 

 genus Ehsia, in memory of a much esteemed friend. 



" General Characters of Elista. 



"Elisia calice monopetalo, anguloso, longitudinaliter fisso et 

 pers.stenti; corolla monopetala, marine quinque-punctata, subcam- 

 panuMormi, prismatica, marcescenti. 



" The Elisias are very elegant shrubs, with foliage of a light and 

 lively green, their large terminal, snow-white, campanulate, and 

 pendulous corollas produce a most charming and picturesque effect 

 They grow in fresh" and fertile soils, but' their shade is not onlv 

 dangerous to animals, but injurious to the plants which vegetate in 

 their vicinity. In the evening, and during the whole night, they 

 exhale a nauseous, soporific, and carbonic odour, which must be in- 

 jurious to respiration if in a great quantity, but a few flowers produce 

 in a large open room, an agreeable perfume. 



" Specific Characters. 



" Elisia formosissima Nobis. Datura arlorea Lin. 



"Elisia pericarpio subspinoso, scabro, quadrivalvi, et quadrilocu- 

 lari, folns elhptico-ovatis, subtus leviter villosis, longe petioktis 

 lateraliter nervosis, parum subdentatis. 



J* We thought convenient to change the specific name of arlorea 

 to formosissima, the first is applicable to all the species, and on that 

 account objectionable, the second expresses the charming effect which 

 this beautiful shrub produces. Every one that has observed it in its 

 native country, will certainly agree with us in adopting the specific 

 name oi formosissima. This plant, quite common in Venezuela, 

 reaches the height of twenty feet or more, and is very well formed 

 Its large and smooth leaves are slightly villose in their* inferior part: 

 but what particularly strikes the traveller, is its numerous flowers, 

 which hang in a graceful form, so as to cover the whole plant with a 

 snowy hood. Its wood is useless. 



