393 
8. longum, Eoxb., 8 . serpentinum, Desf., 8. undatim, Lam., 
8. ferox, L., 8. pseudo-saponaceum, Blume, 8 . album, Lour., 
wbicb bear all large berries, considered harmless, but may 
not all represent well-marked species. Absolute ripeness 
of all such kinds of fruits is an unavoidable requisite, as 
otherwise even wholesome sorts may prove acrid or even 
poisonous. Probably many other of the exceedingly 
numerous species of the genus Solanum may be available 
for good-sized edible berries. 
Solanum macrocarpum, L. 
Mauritius and Madagascar. A perennial herb. The berries 
are of the size of an apple, globular and yellow. 8. Thon- 
ningi, P. Jacq., from Gruinea, is a nearly related plant. 8. 
calycimm, Moc. et Sess., from Mexico, is also allied. 
Solanum muricatumj I’Herit. 
The Pepino of Peru. A shrubby species with egg-shaped 
edible berries, which are white with purple spots, and attain 
a length of 6 inches. 
Solanum Quitoense, La Marck. 
Ecuador, Peru. A shrubby plant. The berries resemble 
in size, color and taste small oranges, and are of a peculiar 
fragrance. To this the 8. Plumierii, Dun., from the "West 
Indian Islands is also cognate and the 8. Topiro, Kunth, from 
the Orinoco. 
Solanum tuberosum, L.* 
The Potato. Andes of South America, particularly of 
Chili, but not absolutely trans-equatorial, as it extends into 
Columbia. It is also wild in the Argentine territory. As 
a starch- plant, the Potato interests us on this occasion par- 
ticularly. Considering its prolific yield in our richer soil, we 
possess as yet too few factories for Potato-starch. The 
latter by being heated with mineral acids or malt can be 
converted into Dextrin and Dextro-G-lucose for many pur- 
poses of the arts. Dextrin, as a substitute for gum, is also 
obtainable by subjecting Potato-starch in a dry state to a 
heat of 400° E. Alcohol may be largely produced from the 
tubers. The berries and shoots contain Solanin. 
