ANALYSIS OF THE EGG PLANT. 



297 



5. Proximate organic analysis of the fruit of the Egg plant (PI. 7) . 



Sweet matter, extract, and a small quantity of 



a bitter principle 3 '040 



Starch with a little chlorophyl - - - • 365 



Albumen ....... 0'255 



Casein 9-200 



Dextrine 0*370 



Fibre 0-760 



Matter dissolved out of fibre by a weak solution 



of caustic potash --.-.. - 975 



Water 91-353 



97-318 S. 



PKOPORTIONa. 



Water 91-353 



Dry matter 8-647 



Ash 0-604 



Ash calculated on the dry matter ... 6*981 S. 



The Egg plant {Solanum melongena) is a valuable species, bearing a large purple fruit 

 upon a prickly stem. It is fleshy, though rather watery ; yet when fried in butter, it 

 resembles very tender meat in flavor. It is a delicacy which is far less common than 

 might be expected. A single berry sells for one shilling. The plant is an annual, herba- 

 ceous and branching : it grows two feet high. It may be prepared for food in various 

 ways, and is considered as wholesome and delicious. Like the tomato, it is cultivated 

 from the seed, which must be sown early in a warm dry mellow soil. 



The Tomato {Solanum lycopersicum) has been noticed already in connection with the 

 potato. This species has increased greatly in esteem diuing the last ten years. It is now 



Fi«. I. Fig. 4. 



Yellow Tomato. 



Red Tomato. 

 [AoRicuLTUHAi, Report — Vol. ii.] 



38 



