i ] SOLANACE^. 191 



in cottage gardens : the anthers of Potato opening by 

 pores at the apex : the albuminous seeds with, usually, a 

 curved embryo : the fruit of Thorn-apple (Datura), 

 4-celled, owing to the infolded dorsal sutures of the 

 carpels, which reach and adhere to the placentas. 



Although some species under cultivation are amongst 

 our most valuable food-producing plants, the Order is 

 dangerous, including the Deadly Nightshade (Atropa 

 Belladonna), the berry of which, about the size and colour 

 of a black cherry, has often proved fatal to children ; 

 Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger\ a viscid weed of waste 

 places about villages, with dingy, purple-veined, yellow 

 flowers ; and Tobacco (Nicotiana), the oil distilled from 

 which is a virulent poison. 



The narcotic principle of Tobacco is developed in the 

 leaf by a fermentative process, after it has been collected. 

 In 1886, upwards of fifty-two millions of pounds of 

 Tobacco were entered for home consumption. It is ex- 

 tensively grown in hot countries, especially in the Southern 

 States of America, Cuba, South America, and the East 

 Indian Islands. 



The Potato-plant (Solanum tuberoswri) is by far the 

 most important member of the Order, affording our most 

 valuable esculent. It was originally introduced from the 

 south-western coast of South America. Potatoes are the 

 tubers or swollen portions of underground branches, and 

 not roots, as the " eyes " (leaf-buds) of the tubers show. 

 They contain about fifteen per cent, of starch, which may 

 be roughly separated from the tissue of the Potato by 

 grating and washing. From this starch are prepared 

 dextrine, used in calico printing, and British gum, 

 used to attach postage labels. The Potato disease is 

 caused by a minute fungus which usually attacks the leaf 

 in the first place, rapidly descending to the tubers. The 

 starch of diseased tubers, while it remains, is perfectly 

 wholesome. 



Cayenne pepper is the ground seeds of species of 

 Capsicum. 



The fruits of the Aubergine (Solanum Melongend) and 

 Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentuni) are used in cookery. 

 The berry of Winter Cherry may be safely eaten : it is 

 cooked in Spain and Germany. 



