Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries* 509 



According to Mr. W. Adamson the variety ponderosa sometimes 

 attains a weight of nearly 4 Ibs. 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 Icerya Purchasi, the females depositing their 

 eggs amidst any patches of the bug, their larvae soon devouring 

 greedily the Icerya. The wing-cases of this Coccionella are black 

 with red spots. It is therefore recommended, to plant Potatoes 

 and Tomatoes close to the suffering Orange-trees, so as to keep 

 this 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, Linn. 



Mauritius and Madagascar. A perennial herb. The berries are 

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

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

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



Solanum Maglia, Molina. 



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

 Potato-Solanum, 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 Melongena, Linn6. (S. ovigerum, Dunal; S. esculentum, Dunal.) 

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

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

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

 Aubergines, Bringals or Begoons as culinary esculents. Prepared in 

 France like an omelette. An early ripening variety of particularly 

 fine taste and singularly fitted for cool zones comes from Japan 

 [Sprenger]. The Rev. Copeland King obtained a fruit 7 inches in 

 diameter and weighing 3^ Ibs. in British New Guinea. The seeds 

 will keep for several years. Allied plants are S. insanum (L.), S. 

 longum (Roxb.), S. serpentinum (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 



