ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 197 



in general use as an ingredient in sauces, soups, stews, &c. This about closes the list of our 

 really useful indigenous esculent fruits obtained from this family. By far the most valuable 

 contribution of this remarkable family to the wants of man is the F otsiioe, Solanum tuberosum. 

 This tuber is not, properly speaking, the root but an under-ground stem, the acrid properties of 

 which are in a great measure dissipated by the blanching it suffers through exclusion from light, 

 and what little remains Is removed during the process of cooking. 



That this is the cause of its freedom from the noxious qualities of the tribe seems proved 

 by the fact, that an extract from the leaves is a powerful narcotic, akin to Belladonna, and is said 

 to be particularly useful in relieving the pain of Chronic Rheumatism, and painful affections of 

 the stomach and uterus. Of the esculents, if such indeed it may be called, we have still another 

 genus to niention, rather a pungent one, by the way, namely the Chilly, Capsicum ; several of 

 whose species are employed as condiments. I have said above "really useful esculents,^ for 

 in addition to those named the fruit of several other species of Solanum are more or less 

 used as such by the poorer classes of natives, but none are held in any considerable esteem 

 except those first named. Among the poisonous species, of which this family furnishes so long 

 a catalogue, those of India do not hold a prominent place, either as regards number or virulence. 

 Out of all our long list of Solanums, not one approaches in poisonous energy to the English 

 Solanum Dulcamara^ still less to the Belladonna and Henbane. Those most esteemed for 

 their energy, *S. trilobum and S, indicum^ are prescribed in various forms as expectorants in the 

 treatment of pectoral diseases. The Daturas, of which the Indian flora furnishes 6 species, are 

 more active and dangerous agents, but may still be used with perfect safety in the treatment 

 of disease, if administered with caution, A story is told to the effect that in former times, the 

 Scots mixed Belladonna juice in the food and drink with which they were compelled to supply 

 the Danes, and during the general intoxication and somnolence which ensued, cut off nearly 

 the whole of their army. In India tricks similar in kind are almost daily played off on the 

 unwary with the seed and roots of different species of Datura. 



These drugs are reduced to fine powder, mixed with flour and made into bread, sweetmeats, 

 &c. Shortly after the medicated repast, drowsiness and deep sleep supervene, during which not 

 seldom the suiFerer is robbed of every thing, and ample time allowed for the robbers to escape. 

 Occasionally the dose happens to be too strong, and death ensues. These facts, which are well 

 known in India, clearly point out these plants as narcotics of great power, and probably better 

 fitted to induce sleep, in cases of extreme watchfulness, than either Opium or Henbane (Hyoscya- 

 mus). Of the South American species, some are highly esteemed as febrifuges, the Solanum 

 pesudoquina being so powerful in that way that the Brazilians will scarcely believe it is not 

 the true Quinine. 



The narcotic qualities, so predominant in this order, are stated by Endlicher to depend on 

 a narcotic alkaloid joined with an acrid matter, varying in its proportions in different species; 

 hence in some acrimony predominates ; in many bitter extractive abounds, and some even possess 

 a?thereo-oily balsamic principles. 1 am unable to say whether, under this last term, he alludes 

 to the fiiscinating and so generally esteemed properties of Tobacco, that being an almost universal 

 favourite with all tribes and classes of men. When one thinks how intensely energetic the 

 action of that vegetable is on the human frame, when taken into the intestinal canal, it certainly 

 <3oes seem strange that, inhaled as smoke into the fauces, or applied as snuffy to the nostrils, it 

 should be so much admired and extensively used. But such is the case and, in spite of all that 

 has been said and done by statesman, moralists, divines, and physicians, to bring it into dis- 

 grace, it still holds its place in public estimation. 



This may, perhaps, be partly accounted for by the fact, that its vituperators have generally 

 oeen either men whose peculiar idiocyncrasies prevented their partakmg of the enjoyment 

 others derived from its use, or, on the other hand, those who had abused the privilege and injured 

 their health by excess. The testimony of such witnesses can never be admitted as trust-worthy 

 80 mankind have gone on smoking and snuffing, notwithstanding all the abuse that has been 

 heaped on the "weed," and, it is my belief, will continue to do so to the end of time, unless, 

 perhaps, statesmen, forgetting the lessons of experience, put It out of fashion by overwhelming 

 it under prohibitory duties, to the manifest injury of the state exchequer, and the banishment 



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