in Extra-Tropical Countries. 359 



locally. The round root is starchy, and when boiled edible ; the 

 young shoots serve as asparagus (Dr. Porcher). 



Smilax rotundifolia, Lhm<$. 



Eastern States of North-America, extending to Canada. A prickly 

 climber with deciduous foliage. An immense local use is made of 

 the roots for the bowls of tobacco-pipes. It is estimated, that nearly 

 three millions of these briar-root pipes are now made a year. The 

 reed-portion of these pipes is generally prepared from Alnus serrulata 

 (Willdenow) according to Professor Meehan. 



Smilax rubiginosa, Grisebach. 



South-Brazil and La Plata- States. The roots of this and S. cam- 

 pestris are there employed as sarsaparilla (Prof. Hieronymus). 



Smyrnium Olusatrum, Linn<$. 



The Alisander. Southern Europe, Northern Africa, Western Asia. 

 A biennial herb, which raw or boiled can be utilized in the manner 

 of celery. The roots and fruitlets serve medicinal purposes. 



Solanum Aculeastrum, Dunal. 



South- Africa. Recommended for hedges as one of the tallest 

 species of this genus, and as armed with the most formidable 

 prickles. 



Solanum ^thiopicum, Linn. 



Tropical Africa. Cultivated there and elsewhere on account of its 

 edible berries, which are large, red, globular and uneven. The plant 

 is annual. 



Solanum betaceum, Cavanilles. (Cyphomandra betacea, Sendtner.) 



Central America. This shrub is cultivated as far south as Buenos 

 Ayres and Valparaiso, also on the Mediterranean Sea, for the sake of 

 its tomato-like berries. Bears about five months each year, and fruits 

 in the second season already. The berries can be eaten raw, when 

 quite ripe, and are of pleasant taste (Morris). 



Solanum cardiophyllum, Lindley. 



Central Mexico. A Potato-Solanum with naturally large tubers. 



Solanum Commersonii, Dunal. 



La Plata- States, in rocky arid situations at a low level. Also a 

 Pota to- S olanum. 



Solanum Dulcamara, Linn. 



Europe, Northern Africa, Middle Asia, indigenous in Norway to 

 lat. 66 32'. A trailing half-shrub, with deciduous leaves. The 

 stems are used in medicine, and contain two alkaloids: dulcamarin 

 and solanin. Concerning these ample information is given by Huse- 

 mann and Hiiger in their large work " Pflanzenstoffe " (1884). 



2 A 



