252 



SCROPIIULARIA CEM. 



[chap. 



find that even the most useful food-products of the Family 

 require to be cooked before they are fitted for use. The 

 most important food-producing species are the Potato {So- 

 latrnm escidentwn)^ a South American herb, cultivated for 

 the sake of its tubers throughout temperate countries, the 

 Aubergine, and the Tomato {Lycopersicum). The so-called 

 Cape Gooseberry {Phy salts peruviana) is very common in 

 India. The pulpy berry, which is wholly concealed within 

 the yellowish, persistent, and accrescent calyx, is edible. 

 The scarlet or orange-yellow fruits of species of Capsicum 

 are everywhere used as a condiment. 



The narcotic and poisonous species include Tobacco 

 {Nicotiana), Deadly Nightshade {Atropa)^ Henbane {Hyos- 

 cyamus), and many others. 



68. Natural Order, ScrophulariacecE. — The Figwort Family. 



Usually herbs with opposite or alternate leaves, and 

 irregular flowers. Stamens fewer than corolla-lobes. Ovary 

 two-celled. Seeds indefinite. 



Type — Maurandya semperflorens. 



A climbing (garden) herb, with alternate, hastate leaves, 

 and axillary, solitary, pedunculate, irregular, rose-coloured 



