40 



seven finger-like segments, the latter lobed and toothed, much 

 resembling those of the scented geranium. When bruised they 

 emit a prussic acid smell, like the leaves of the sweet bay. 

 Flowers white with a purple base, much flatter than in other 

 species, one and a half inch across. Not common. Abundant 

 in lane west of Rosebank, Hamilton. Perennial. May and 

 June, 



Dichondra Repens. Forst. Dichondra. A small plant with 

 stems, appressed to the ground, slender, wiry, rooting and in- 

 terlacing, several feet in diameter I^eaves heart-shaped, 

 entire, half to one inch. Flower on stalks, seldom an inch 

 high, very insignificant, greenish-white, quarter of an inch 

 wide. Very common mixed with grass on hillsides. March 

 to Juue. Perennial. 



Natural Order, Solanaceae. 



Solanum Aculeatissimum. Jacq. (common night shade; 

 cockroach berry). A prickly, shrubby plant, two to three feet 

 high, with stout spreading branches, thickly spined. L^eaves 

 three to four inches long with oblong lobes; midrib and veins 

 prickly, wavy margin, both surfaces clothed with minute 

 brownish down, and long hairs. Flower-stalks slender, flowers 

 drooping, half inch in diameter, white, followed by an orange 

 scarlet berry, three quarters of an inch in diameter, very 

 poisonous. It is the representative of the British Belladonna 

 (deadly nightshade. ) Found by waysides. Perennial. Sum- 

 mer months. 



Solanum Nigrum. Linn, (black nightshade). An erect 

 plant, some two feet high, much branched. Leaves two to 

 four inches long, smooth, coarsely toothed. Flower-heads 

 rise from the stem below the leaves, pendulous. Flowers 

 white, one third of an inch, with yellow centre, followed by a 

 small round black berry. A nauseating smell pervades this 

 plant, especially if the leaves are bruised or rubbed. Common 

 in waste places, and shad}' corners. Summer months. 

 Annual. 



Datura Stramonium. Linn, (thorn apple or stinking weed.) 

 A branching plant, two to three fuvL high, stem green smooth, 

 Leaves six to nine inches long, and four to six wide, ovate 



