466 SOLANACE^E. 



combination with malic acid. Belladonna is used medicinally to allay 

 pain and spasmodic action, to cause dilatation of the pupil, and as a 

 prophylactic against scarlatina. Similar properties exist in the species 

 of Hyoscyamus, more especially in H. niger, Henbane, a biennial plant, 

 with dingy-yellow flowers, exhibiting beautiful purple reticulations, 

 hairy viscous leaves, and a bilocular operculate capsule (fig. 459). 

 The leaves yield by expression a large quantity of juice, whence an 

 extract is prepared. A tincture of Henbane is often used in place of 

 laudanum, on account of not causing constipation. It is employed in 

 medicine to procure sleep and allay pain, and it acts also in dilating 

 the pupil. The narcotic properties seem to be owing to an easily 

 decomposed alkaloid called Hyoscyamia. An empyreumatic oil is 

 obtained from the plant, which is an energetic narcotic poison. The 

 roots of the plant have sometimes caused poisoning by being mistaken 

 for parsnips. Many species of Datura are powerfully narcotic. D. 

 Stramonium is the Thorn-apple, so called on account of its prickly 

 capsule. Its leaves and seeds are used medicinally as narcotics, their 

 qualities being due to an alkaloid called Daturia. They are prescribed 

 as anodynes and antispasmodics, in the form of powder, extract, and 

 tincture, and the leaves are smoked in cases of asthma. Datura 

 Tatula and Metel, sanguinea, ferox and fastuosa have similar proper- 

 ties. Several species of Nicotiana furnish Tobacco. That chiefly iised 

 in Europe is procured from N. Tabacum, a plant naturally inhabiting 

 the hotter parts of North and South America. It is an annual plant, 

 attaining a height of six feet, having dingy-red infundibuuform 

 flowers (fig. 294) and viscid leaves. The leaves are the officinal part, 

 and their active properties depend on a peculiar oily-like alkaloid 

 called Nicotina. They are employed in the form of infusion, tincture, 

 and wine. Tobacco is an energetic narcotic poison. It is employed 

 medicinally as a sedative, and its depressing action is useful in cases 

 of hernia. Its depressing action is indicated by its effect on the cere- 

 bral functions and on the heart. The flavour and strength of tobacco 

 depend on climate, cultivation, and the mode of manufacture. That 

 most esteemed by the smoker is Havannah tobacco ; but the Virginian 

 is the strongest. It is said that small Havannah cigars are prepared 

 from the leaves of Nicotiana repanda ; Syrian and Turkish tobacco 

 from N. rustica, and fine Shiraz tobacco from N. persica. The fruit of 

 different species and varieties of Capsicum supply Cayenne-pepper, and 

 what are called Chillies. Chilli is the Mexican name for all the varie- 

 ties of Capsicum. They are natives of the East and West Indies, and 

 of other hot climates. Capsicum annuum is the species commonly 

 noticed, but of it there seems to be numerous varieties, which by many 

 are reckoned species. Thus, C. frutescens is a shrubby plant which, 

 along with C. minimum, supplies the variety called Bird-pepper ; C. 

 baccatum has a globular fruit, and furnishes Cherry or Berry-capsicum. 



