630 SOLANACEA. 
applied in England to the fruits of C. annuum ; hence they are better dis- 
tinguished as Guinea Pepper. These fruits are less than an inch in length, 
and are the most pungent of all Capsicum fruits. Cayenne Pepper is the 
powdered fruit of probably several species or varieties of Capsicum, but 
principally of C. fastigiatum. The fruits of C. annuum are frequently two 
or more inches in length. Hungarian Red Pepper (paprika) is obtained 
from a variety of C.annuum with a small pointed fruit. It is highly es- 
teemed, and is said to be much used in the preparation of Cayenne Pepper. 
Other varieties or species of Capsicum in use in different parts of the world 
are, the C. cerasiforme (Cherry Pepper or Round Chilli), C. grossum (Bell 
Pepper), C. frutescens (Spice Pepper), C. baccatum (Bird Pepper), C. tetra- 
gonum (Bonnet Pepper). The general name of Pod Pepper is sometimes 
applied to the fruits of the species and varieties of Capsicum. 
Lycopersicum esculentum.—This plant produces the fruits called Love- 
apples or Tomatoes, so much employed in the preparation of sauces, and for 
other purposes. 
Physalis.—P. peruviana has an edible fruit which is known as the 
Peruvian Winter Cherry.—P. Alkehengi, Winter Cherry, and some other 
species, are diuretic.—Physalis (Withania) somnifera, as its name implies, 
is reputed to possess narcotic properties. 
Punneeria (Withania) coagulans.—The dried fruit is employed in India 
as a carminative and stomachic, and also as a substitute for rennet in making 
cheese, &c. 
Solanum.—The Common Potato, which is so largely used for food in 
temperate climates, is the tuber of S. tuberosum. Other species, as S. Maglia, 
S. Commersoni, S. Jamesii, and other species or varieties, are now being 
experimentally cultivated in England, the United States, and France, and 
promise good results. The object is to obtain a plant suitable for moist air 
and soil, the S. tuberosum being best adapted for dry air and soil. A 
decoction of the stem and leaves has been used as an alterative in cutaneous 
diseases, and an extract has been also employed as a narcotic and anti- 
spasmodic. The leaves when roasted have been used with success for 
thickening mordants in dyeing. The medicinal properties of the Potato 
plant are chiefly due to the presence of a small quantity of an alkaloid 
called solanine, which has narcotic properties. Solanine does not produce 
dilatation of the pupil like the alkaloids of the Atropee; and hence the 
reason why the juice of the Solanex generally differs in such respect from 
that of the Atropee. Solanine has been detected in all parts of the Potato 
plant, but in the tuber all traces of it are entirely removed by the processes 
of boiling and preparing potatoes for the table. Starch is largely obtained 
from potatoes, and used for food under the name of English arrowrvot, 
Bright's nutritious farina, &c. It is employed to a great extent in the 
preparation of Dextrine or British gum, which is used in the arts, &c., as a 
substitute for gum, size, and paste.—NSolanum Du!eamara, Woody Night- 
shade or Bitter-sweet. The dried young branches possess diuretic and 
diaphoretic properties, and are employed as an alterative in cutaneous 
diseases, and in other cases. They also possess slight narcotic properties 
owing to the presence of solanine. The fruits are in rare cases even 
poisonous, for one or more fatal cases of poisoning by them have been 
recorded.—S. nigrum, Black Nightshade, also possesses alterative and nar- 
cotic properties. The fruit is said to be edible; but if such be the case, 
its use for food requires caution, as solanine has been found in it. In the 
Mauritius, however, this herb as well as S. oleraceum are common pot- 
herbs and are largely consumed. The fruits of several species of Solanum 
are also eaten in various parts of the world, as those of S. esculentum (S. 
Melongena), in France, &c.; those of S. quitoense, named Quito Oranges ; 
those of S. laciniatum in Australia, where they are termed Kangaroo- 
apples; those of S. muricatum and S. nemorense in Peru; and those of S. 
anthropophagorum and S. repandum in the Fiji Islands. Those of the first 
