SOLANACEiE. 479 



with great caution. It is a powerful and highly drastic purgative, but is 

 highly useful, when not contra-indicated by intestinal inflammation, both as 

 an evacuant and a derivative. Where it is wished to moderate its action, it 

 may be given in combination with some of the Neutral salts, Rhubarb, &c, 

 with the addition of an aromatic. It is very seldom given alone, on account 

 of the harshness of its operation, except when it is intended to establish 

 counter-irritation, as in diseases of the brain. It is much used by empirics, 

 and forms a part of most of the vegetable pills so numerous in our quack- 

 ridden country. The dose of the powder is from ten to fifteen grains, and it 

 should be powdered very finely. It enters into the composition of a variety 

 of officinal preparations, as powders, confections, mixtures, &c. 



Several other species have also, at different times, been employed in medi- 

 cine, as the C. arvensis, C. althceoides, &c. The C. dissectus abounds in 

 prussic acid, and is said to be used in the manufacture of Noyau. (Bot. 

 Mag. 3141.) According to Dr. Uslar, the remedy called in Mexico Guaco, 

 is derived from a Convolvulus. (Lindley, Veg. King., 631.) 



Besides these plants, numerous species of other genera belonging to this 

 order may be cited as having remedial properties. Thus Pharbitis cathartica 

 of St. Domingo, has much the same properties as Jalap ; it is the P. pudi- 

 bundus, Bot. Reg. 999 ; the P. nil is used in Japan ( Thunberg, iv. 53). 

 Calystegia soldanella and C. sepium, have been much used in Europe ; Dr. 

 Deslongchamps, who examined the first with great care, is of opinion that it 

 is almost equivalent to the Jalap. {Jour. Gen. Med. xlii. 173.) It is spoken 

 of in high terms by Ferrein and others as a hydragogue and vermifuge; the 

 P. sepiicm, is much less active, but it is said that a decoction of its leaves acts 

 well as a mild purgative. The foliage of 7". bracleata is employed in Brazil 

 in a similar manner, and that of Argyreia bracteata and A. speciosa are used 

 in India in preparing emollient poultices; they are also thought to possess 

 virtues in cutaneous complaints, rubbed on the affected parts (Ainslie, ii. 

 357). Two species of Rhodoriza, the florida and scoparius, yield an aromatic 

 essential oil, of a bitter balsamic flavour, known as the Oil of Rhodium. The 

 wood itself, when powdered, is used as a sternutatory, and is also employed 

 for fumigation ; the oil is much used by rat-catchers to attract rats and mice, 

 as they appear to be extremely fond of the odour. Even the seeds of some 

 of these plants are active; this is the case with those of Pharbitis ccerulea, 

 which act as a quick, safe, and pleasant purgative, in doses of 30 — 40 

 grains. (Lindley, Veg. King. 631.) 



Order 76.— SOLANACEiE.— Lindley. 



Calyx of 4 — 5 more or less united sepals, mostly persistent. Corolla regular, sometimes 

 a little irregular, plaited in aestivation. Stamens inserted upon and as many as the seg- 

 ments of the corolla. Ovary 2-celled, with the placentae in the axis; styles and stigmas 

 united into one. Fruit a many-seeded capsule or berry. Embryo mostly curved, in a 

 fleshy albumen. 



A very extensive order, consisting of herbs or shrubby plants, with a watery 

 juice, and alternate leaves ; the floral ones sometimes double, placed near 

 each other. The inflorescence is variable, often supra-axillary, the pedicels 

 ebracteate. The species are found in all parts of the world, except the frigid 

 zone. The properties of this order are not' uniform, though the general cha- 

 racter is that of the acro-narcotics, but the fruit of some species and the roots of 

 t others are among the most valuable esculents, and the fruits of others, again, 

 are purely stimulant. 



