Naturalisation in Extra- Tropical Countries. 461 



[Vilmorin]. Export of berries from Bermuda alone in 1871 as 

 much as 672 tons [Sir J. Lefroy]. Tomato-foliage may be placed 

 round fruit-trees, like the equally poisonous potato-leaves, to prevent 

 the access of insects, and an infusion of the herb serves also as an 

 insecticide for syringing, as first adopted by Mr. Sircy. Nevertheless 

 Mr. T. B. Hellier in Capeland actually observed a kind of ladybird- 

 beetle, indigenous and not rare there, to live on the potato- and 

 tomato-plant as also on some other solanaceous plants exclusively, 

 but to leave these for orange-trees infested with leery a Purchasi, 

 the females depositing their eggs amidst any patches of the bug, 

 their larvee soon devouring greedily the Icerya. The wing-cases of 

 this Coccionella are black with red spots. It is therefore recom- 

 mended, to plant Potatoes and Tomatoes close to the suffering 

 Orange-trees, so as to keep the Coccionella in close vicinity. Many 

 kinds of stains, even those from ink, can be removed by Tomatoes [P. 

 W. Bedford]. The plant may sometimes be attacked by the 

 potato-disease, caused by Peronospora infestans. 



Solanum macrocarpum, Linne. 



Mauritius and Madagascar. A perennial herb. The berries are 

 of the size of an apple, globular and yellow. S. Thoniiiiigi (F. 

 Jacquin), from Guinea, is a nearly related plant. S. calycinurn 

 (Mocino and Sesse), from Mexico, is also allied. 



Solanum Mag'lia, Molina. 



Prom Chili to the Chonos-Archipelagus along the shores. A 

 Potato-Sal anum, with naturally large tubers, which however are 

 formed deeper in the ground than those of the ordinary Potato-plant, 

 nor are they of the same agreeable taste. A hybrid progeny may 

 offer advantages in some directions. 



Solanum. XtCelongrena, Linne. (S. ovigerum, Dunal; 8. esculentum, 

 Dnnal.) 



The Egg-Plant. Arabia. Ripening still at Christiania like the 

 tomato. A perennial plant, usualty renewed in cultivation like an 

 annual. The egg-shaped large berries are known under the name 

 of Aubergines, Bringals or Begoons as culinary esculents. Pre- 

 pared in France like an omelette. The seeds will keep for several 

 years. Allied plants are S. insanum (L.), S. longum (Boxb.), S. 

 serpentiiium (Desf.), S. undatum (Lam.), S. ferox (L.), S. pseudo- 

 saponaceum (Blume), S. album (Dour.), which all bear large 

 berries, considered harmless ; but all may not represent well- 

 marked species. Absolute ripeness of all such kinds of fruit is an 

 unavoidable requisite, as otherwise even wholesome sorts may prove 

 acrid or even poisonous. Probably many other of the exceedingly 

 numerous species of the genus Solanum may offer yet good-sized 

 edible berries, irrespective of those mentioned in these pages. 



