548 SOLANACEiE. 



oentas adhering to the dissepiment, or a nuculanium with 5 or more 

 nucules. Seeds 00 ; embryo straight (rectembryecB), or curved (cunem- 

 bryem) (fig. 778), often excentric, lying in fleshy albumen ; radicle next 

 the hilum. — Herbs or shrubs, with alternate leaves. Natives of most 

 parts of the world, but abundant in the tropics, in which the mass of 

 the order exists, in the form of the genera Solanum and Physalis., 

 There are 69 known genera and 1025 species enumerated. The order 

 has been divided into two sub-orders. 1. Solanese ; Isomerous flowers 

 with a valvate or induplicato-valvate aestivation ; inflorescence extra- 

 axillary ; innocuous or doubtfully poisonous. Examples — Solanum, 

 Capsicum, Lycopersicum, Physalis, Oestrum, Habrothamnus, Nolana. 

 2. Atropese ; Isomerous flowers or nearly so, with a more or less im- 

 bricate sestivation; inflorescence extra-axillary; narcotic poisons causing 

 dilatation of the pupil. Examples — Atropa, Mandragora, Nicotiana, 

 Datura, Hyoscyamus. 



The plants of this order often possess narcotic qualities. These are 

 sometimes developed in a great degree, so as to render the plants very 

 poisonous ; at other times they are obscured by the prevalence of nu- 

 tritious and starchy matter. Some of the species are entirely inno- 

 cuous. In some instances, certain parts of the plant have poisonous 

 narcotic properties, while other parts are innocuous, and are used as 

 articles of diet. These facts will be illustrated by a consideration of 

 difierent genera and species. We commence with the species in the 

 sub-order Solanem. Solanum Dulcamara, Bitter-sweet, or woody Night- 

 shade, has diaphoretic properties. A decoction of the twigs is used in 

 various cutaneous diseases. The scarlet berries are not poisonous ; 

 five pounds weight given in the course of ten days did not produce 

 poisonous effects. The black berries of Solanum nigrum are used by 

 the garrison in the Island of Ascension to make pies. Solanum tube- 

 rosum, the Potato (fig. 109, p. 48), produces nutritious starchy tubers. 

 Solanum Melongena yields the Aubergine or Briujal, an edible fruit. 

 S. laciniatum, the Kangaroo apple, is eaten in Tasmania. Solanum 

 ovigerum produces the fruit called Egg-apple. Solanum vescvm, the 

 Gunyang of Australia, is used as a potato. In the genus Solanum the 

 anthers open by pores. The fruit of difierent species and varieties of 

 Capsicum supply Cayenne-pepper, and what are called Chillies. Chilli 

 is the Mexican name for aU the varieties of Capsicum. They are 

 natives of the East and West Indies, and of other hot climates. Cap- 

 sicum annuum is the species commonly noticed, but of it there seem 

 to be numerous varieties, which by many are reckoned species. Thus, 

 G. frutescens is a shrubby plant which, along with C. fastigiatum, sup- 

 plies the variety called Bird-pepper ; C. baccatum has a globular fruit, 

 and furnishes Cherry- or Berry-capsicum. In Capsicums irritant pro- 

 perties prevail, without aay narcotic action. Their acridity is owing 

 to an oleaginous substance called Capsicin. Cayenne-pepper is used 



