THE NIGHTSHADE FAMILY 3(35 



Mentha Cunninghamii {CnnainglMm's Mint). 



A slender, prostrate, fragrant herb. Stems often matted,, hair}-. Leaves 

 -J- hi.-i]- in. long, rounded or oblong, obtuse, pellucid-dotted. Flowers axillary, 

 solitary. Calyx yV in. 4 in- long. Both islands : dry places. PI. Deo. -Feb. 



Fig. I'il. Solanuni aviculare (i nat. size). 



Solanaceae. 



The Nk^htshade Family. 



Distribution. — A large family, chiefly tropical. A few of the species 

 furnish edible fruits or tubers, but the greater number are narcotic and poisonous. 

 The most important of all the species is Solanum tuberosum, the Potato. This 

 plant contains a small quantity of the narcotic principle solcmine, which, 

 however, is destroyed by cooking. The Tomato, the Egg-plant, the Capsicum, 

 the Cape Gooseberry, and the Winter-cherry, are all members of this family. 

 Datura, Nicotiana, and Petunia are cultivated for their tlowcrs. The Henbane 

 (Hijoscyaiiius niger), the INIandrake {Ulandragora officinalis), and the Deadly 



