SOLANACE.E. 465 



equal in number to the corolline segments, and alternate with them 

 (fig. 663) ; anthers with longitudinal or porous dehiscence (fig. 664 e). 

 Ovary usually 2 -celled (fig. 664 o), sometimes 4-5- or many-celled; 

 ovules indefinite ; style continuous ; stigma simple (fig. 664 s). Fruit 

 with 2, 4, or more cells, rarely unilocular; either a capsule dehis- 

 cing in a septicidal or circumscissile manner, and having a double 

 dissepiment parallel to the valves, or a berry (figs. 665, 666) with 

 the placentas adhering to the dissepiment, or a nuculanium with 5 or 

 more nucules. Seeds 00 ; embryo straight or curved (fig. 668), often 

 excentric, lying in fleshy albumen ; radicle next the hilum. Herbs or 

 shrubs, with alternate leaves. Natives of most parts of the world, but 

 abundant in the tropics. The order has been divided into two sections, 

 which are not, however, well defined: 1. Rectembrys, with the 

 embryo nearly straight. 2. Curvembrya?, with the embryo curved in 

 a semicircular, annular, or spiral manner. These are subdivided into 

 tribes, chiefly according to the nature of the fruit. There are 66 

 known genera, and 935 species enumerated ; but there is considerable 

 difficulty in the allocation of the genera. Examples Cestrum, Habro- 

 thamnus, Nicotiana, Petunia, Datura, Hyoscyamus, Solanmn, Physalis, 

 Nolana ? 



961. The plants of this order have in general narcotic qualities. 

 These are sometimes developed in a great degree, so as to render 

 the plants very poisonous 5 at other times they are obscured by the pre- 

 valence of nutritious and starchy matter. In many instances, certain 

 parts of the plant have poisonous narcotic properties, while other parts 

 are harmless, and are used as articles of diet. These facts will be 

 illustrated by a consideration of different genera and species. Solanum 

 Dulcamara, Bitter-sweet or woody Nightshade, has slightly narcotic pro- 

 perties, which appear to be owing to the presence of an alkaloid called 

 Solania. The twigs of the plant are used medicinally, in the form of 

 decoction, in various cutaneous diseases. They are supposed to pos- 

 sess sudorific and alterative properties. The scarlet berries of the 

 plant are reckoned poisonous. Solanum nigrum has more active nar- 

 cotic qualities. Solanum tuberosum, the Potato (fig. 92), has slight 

 narcotic qualities in its leaves and fruit, but in the tubers there is an 

 abundance of starch, and when cooked they are wholesome and nutri- 

 tious. In the genus Solanum the anthers open by pores. Atropa 

 Belladonna, Deadly Nightshade or Dwale, is a highly poisonous plant 

 belonging to this order. All parts of the plant are narcotic. The 

 fruit is a dark brownish-black shining berry, which often proves 

 attractive to children. The leaves are the part used in medicine, and 

 from these an extract is prepared. The watery extract is best made in 

 vacuo, but the alcoholic extract is probably the best. Belladonna is 

 one of our most active indigenous poisons. It owes its properties to 

 the presence of an alkaloid called Atropia, which exists hi the plant in 



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