268 SOLANEtE 



stalks ; biennial. This species may easily be distinguished from the last 

 by its bright-tinted foliage, which is more or less shining, and free from soft 

 down, though often very rough. It is besides of different form. The flowers 

 are of reddish colour, changing to blue, and the seeds are without the margin, 

 which is so prominent in those of the other species. The Green-leaved 

 Hound's-tongue is a rare plant, found in shady situations by road-sides, in 

 the middle and south-east of England, and in the neighbourhood of Dublin. 

 Its flowers are in racemes, without bracts, expanding in June and July. It 

 is also known as C. monianum. 



Order LIX. SOLANE^— NIGHTSHADE TRIBE. 



Calyx 5-, rarely 4-cleft, inferior; corolla 5-, or rarely 4-cleft, equal or 

 nearly so, imbricate or plaited when in bud ; stamens the same in number as 

 the divisions of the corolla, and alternate with them ; anthers bursting 

 lengthwise, or opening by pores ; ovary 1-, 2-, or 4-celled ; style 1 ; stigma 

 rarely lobed ; fruit a 1-, 2-, or 4-celled capsule or berry ; seeds numerous. 

 This large and important order consists of herbs or shrubs. Linnaeus gave 

 to it the name of Luridse, from the dull, lurid appearance of the flowers of 

 many of the plants, which he regarded as indicative of their noxious properties. 

 They are acrid and narcotic, several most deadly poisons being found among 

 them, as the Nightshade, Mandrake, Thorn-apple, and others ; but several 

 are useful, such as the Tomato, now so largely grown and eaten in this 

 country ; the Capsicums, which furnish Chillies and Cayenne-pepper ; and in 

 this order is included that most important article of food, the Potato. The 

 species are more abundant in the tropics than elsewhere ; but the plants 

 inhabit most regions of the globe except the coldest. 



1. Thorn-apple (Daiilra). — Calyx tubular, falling early ; corolla funnel- 

 shaped, angular, plaited ; anthers opening lengthwise ; stigma 2-lobed ; 

 capsule incompletely 4-celled, 4-valved. Name from its Arabic appellation, 

 Tatdrah. 



2. Henbane (Hyoscyamiis). — Corolla funnel-shaped, with 5 unequal lobes; 

 capsule 2-celled, closed by a lid. Name from the Greek hys, hyos, a hog, and 

 kyamos, a bean, from the form of the fruit. 



3. Nightshade (Soldnum). — Corolla wheel-shaped, 5-cleft, the segments 

 spreading or reflexed ; anthers opening by two pores at the summit ; berry 

 roundish, with two or more cells. Name of doubtful origin. 



4. DwALE {Airopa). — Corolla bell-shaped, with 5 equal lobes ; stamens 

 distant ; berry of 2 cells. Name from Atropos, one of the Fates, in allusion 

 to its deadly properties. 



1. Thorn-apple {Datum). 



Common Thorn-apple (D. stramdnkmi). — Herbaceous, leaves egg- 

 shaped, unequally and deeply cut, smooth ; capsule erect, egg-shaped and 

 spiny ; annual. This plant, which is found, though rarely, on waste ground 

 and rubbish heaps, is not a native. Its flowers are trumpet-shaped, large, 



