316 SYSTEMATIC BOTANY. 



petals), one sometimes sterile; aestivation of the corolla imbricated, 

 or some modification of imbricated. 3. SCROPHULARIACEJE. Stamens 

 less in number than the lobes of the corolla (or petals), 4 or 2 j aesti- 

 vation of the corolla imbricated. 



This arrangement is, however, not adopted by Bentham and Hooker, 

 who make five tribes of this order, viz. : Solaneae, Atropeae, Hyoscy- 

 amete, Cestrineae, and Salpiglossideae. The removal of the Buddleiea to 

 LoganiaceaB, as proposed by Bentham, however, is favourable to this 

 arrangement, as it removes the 4-androus genera with regular 4-lobed 

 corollas, which would render the above diagnosis of Scrophulariaceae faulty. 

 The Solanaceaa, as a whole, have, however, closer relations with some 

 of the regular gamopetalous Orders, particularly with Hydrophyllaceae 

 and Convolvulacese ; they are connected with Boraginaceae by Graboivskia, 

 a Brazilian genus, formerly regarded as a Lycium, which has the habit of 

 the latter with the ovary of Boraginaceae : it is nearly related to Nolana. 

 According to Lindley, Cestrum connects the Solanaceae with theOleaceae, 

 through Syringa ; but although it has a straight embryo with foliaceous 

 cotyledons, the radicle is inferior, not superior, and the resemblance appears 

 to exist chiefly in habit. Polemoniaceae differ in their 3-celled ovary and 

 straight embryo. 



^ Distribution. A very large Order, the members of which are generally 

 distributed, and most abundantly in the tropics. 



Qualities and Uses. The genera referable to Atropaceae, as indicated 

 above, are mostly characterized by narcotic poisonous properties. The 

 Solanaceae are apparently less powerful, and certain kinds furnish whole- 

 some and some important articles of food ; but many of them possess nar- 

 cotic properties. Some have an acrid quality ; some have diuretic action ; 

 and others are accounted tonics. Among the poisonous kinds the most 

 important are : the Atropa Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade, which has 

 the curious property of relaxing the iris, and thus causing dilation of the 

 pupil, as also does Anthocercis viscosa) ; Datura Stramonium (the Thorn- 

 apple), and D. Metel, Tatula, ferox, alba, &c. ; Hyoscyamus niger (Hen- 

 bane), and other species ; Nicotiana Tabacwn, persica, and rustica (the 

 American, Persian, and Syrian Tobacco-plants) ; Mandragora officinalis 

 (the Mandrake), Acanthera venenata, a Cape shrub, said to be more deadly 

 than any of them. The foliage of some species of Solanum is said to have 

 active properties of the same kind, especially S.nigrum (Black Nightshade), 

 8. Dulcamara (Bitter-sweet or Woody Nightshade), and even the leaves 

 and stems of 8. tuberosum (the common Potato) and Physalis somnifera. 

 Solanum Pseudo-quina is employed in Brazil as a substitute for Cinchona. 

 Some species of Cestrum, as laurifolia and Pseudo-quina, are said to have 

 similar properties. Other Cestra, as C. euanthes, Icevigatum, &c., many 

 species of Physalis, Solanum, &c., are accounted diuretic. The natives of 

 central Australia chew the leaves of Pitury, Duboisia Hopivoodii, as a 

 stimulant. It has similar properties to Coca (p. 234), and dilates the pupil. 



The species of Capsicum are remarkable for the pungent quality of the 

 fruits, the common Capsicum being the produce of C. annuum, and 

 Cayenne pepper consisting of the powdered seeds of various species, such as 

 C. frutescens. While some of the plants are such active poisons in all parts, 



