THE FLORA 149 



M. versicolor, Sin. Changing Forget-me-not. Un- 

 cultivated hillocks ; common. Ann., June. 



M. versicolor, var. laxa, Bosch. Slender form, cultivated 

 field, Kiloran. 



CONVOLVULACE.E (the Convolvulus family) 



Herbs, twining or prostrate, often with handsome plaited 

 flowers. The most important species of the family is 

 Ipomcea Batatas (Sweet Potato). Jalep, the well-known 

 purgative, is prepared from the root of a Mexican plant. 

 Annual kinds of Convolvulus are showy climbing objects. 

 The Seaside Convolvulus occurs in the Outer Hebrides in 

 the island of Eriskay, where it is supposed to have been 

 planted by Prince Charlie hence known there as Flur-a- 

 Phrionnsa (the Prince's flower). 



Calystegia, Br. 



C. sepium, Br. Larger Convolvulus ; Hooded Bindweed. 

 Duil Mhial, C. Roadside, Glasaird Per., August. 



Convolvulus, L. 



C. arvensis, L. Small Bindweed. ladh-lus, C. Lower 

 Kilchattan. July. 



he Nightshade family) 



A large order of herbs and shrubs, chiefly tropical. Many 

 are characterised by dangerous and narcotic properties; 

 others, as the Tomato, Egg-plant, Potato (Buntata), etc., 

 furnish wholesome fruit or tubers. Tobacco (Tombaca) 

 was brought to this country shortly after the middle of the 

 sixteenth century. Cayenne Pepper (Peabar Dearg) is the 

 powdered seed of species of Capsicum. The root of the 

 Mandrake (Mandrag) was credited by the ancients with 

 many virtues. British species the Deadly Nightshade 



