1 76 A USTR ALIAN BOTANY. 



Thorn Apple.— DATURA STRAMONIUM. (Natural 

 Order, Solaxe.e.) P. 53- — A coarse plant, bearing large 

 white, pink, or purple flowers ; seed capsules covered with 

 spines. It possesses poisonous properties, and its poison 

 is sometimes used in medicine in cases of epilepsy or falling 

 sickness. It is said, upon good authority, that asthma has 

 been alleviated by the patient inhaling the smoke from the 

 leaves of this plant, used as tobacco. 



Tobacco.— XICOTIAXA TABACUM. (Natural Order, 

 Solaxe.e.) P. 29. — Tobacco, which is a native of 

 America, since it came into general use, has never ceased to 

 furnish matter for fierce controversy between its opponents 

 and admirers. The various species are largely cultivated 

 in countries suitable to their growth, and some parts of 

 Australia, from the Murray River northwards, now produce 

 large quantities of the leaf; the manufacture of tobacco and 

 cigars being a leading colonial industry. Nicotine is a 

 deadly poison contained in tobacco, and it is asserted that 

 by its absorption into the system, through excessive smoking, 

 it enfeebles the brain and produces paralysis. On the other 

 hand, the soothing qualities of tobacco, when used in 

 moderation, are universally admitted ; and it is probable 

 that the abuse, and not the use, creates the evil. The 

 power of a pipe of tobacco in temporarily alleviating hunger 

 is a philosophical fact at which Australian bushmen have 

 arrived by practical experience. Tobacco is frequently 

 cultivated as an ornamental plant. 



Todea. — (Natural Order, Filices.) See chapter 'Aus- 

 tralian Vegetation,' p. So. 



Tomato.— SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM. (Natural 

 Order, Solaxe.e.) Pp. 53, 185. — This useful plant is common 



