GAMOPETAL^ 133 



The fruits are berries which are dispersed by birds 

 which reject the seeds as in the case of other fleshy 

 fruits, whilst feeding on the soft pulpy portion. 



Not being a well-known plant, there are few English 

 names. Britten and Holland have, however, col- 

 lected together the following : Duscle, Garden Night- 

 shade, Hound's-berry, Mixplenton, Morel, Petty 

 Morel. 



In former days the plant was regarded as a cure 

 for canker, dropsy, skin complaints. The berries are 

 poisonous. 



SoLANUM NIGRUM. — In Fig. 35 Hote the ovate leaves 

 with a wavy border ; also the umhel-like cymes on short 

 stalks, and drooping flowers, placed half-way between 

 successive leaves. 



Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna), 



Derived from the Greek for one of the Fates who 

 cut the thread of Life, the first Latin name applied to 

 this plant is the basis of the first English name, 

 and has reference to the poisonous character. The 

 second Latin name is explained as due to the fact 

 that ladies in Italy used the juice to brighten their 

 eyes, or enlarge their pupils, hence Belladonna. 



Deadly Nightshade is found throughout Great 

 Britain, and in Ireland and the Channel Islands. In 

 Scotland it is only found near houses, as is often the 

 case in England, where it occurs near ruins. 



The habitat is waste places, woods, on chalk, where 



