378 



COLLEGE BOTANY 



The tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum and other species) is an- 

 other American plant which is not so useful as the preceding- 

 plants of this family. It was introduced into Portugal in 1558, 

 into Spain in 1559, and into England in 1586. It is extensively 



FIG. 220. The sweet pepper. 



grown and used throughout a large part of the world. The active 

 principle is the alkaloid nicotine, which is a deadly poison. The 

 plant is quite different in appearance from the preceding. It is 

 erect and the leaves are prominent ; the flowers are long, tubular 

 or funnel-shaped ; the fruit is a dry capsule containing great 

 numbers of seeds. 



