BOTANY AS APPLIED TO VETERINARY SCIENCE. 149 
shrubs; leaves alternate undivided or lobed, sometimes col¬ 
lateral; the floral ones sometimes double, and placed near 
each other; inflorescence variable, often out of the axil; the 
pedicels without bracts.”— Lindley. 
<f So far as European Flora is concerned, this order is 
sufficiently characterised, by its superior many-seeded ovary, 
axile placentae, and regular flowers, and by having the same 
number of stamens as there are lobes to the corolla, upon the 
sides of which they grow.”— Lindley. 
The plants of this order chiefly inhabit tropical regions, 
although many are found in temperate climates. The leaves of 
most of the species are of a dark green colour, and have a dis¬ 
agreeable smell. “ The juices of many are powerfully narcotic; 
the fruit of a few is very hot and most violently pungent, while 
the fruit of two or three is culinary or otherwise esculent; 
and the tuberous roots of one are the well-known potato.” 
Although when considering the poisonous and medicinal 
plants I shall again have frequently to refer to this very im¬ 
portant natural order, I would particularly direct attention to 
it as being one, which of all others, is the most likely to be 
brought under the notice of the veterinary surgeon, and an 
acquaintance with which will prove of great practical utility. 
This will be at once apparent when I name a few r of the 
plants that belong to this order. Amongst the powerfully 
medicinal and poisonous plants w r e have the “ Atropa bella¬ 
donna * (deadly nightshade), Hyoscyamus niger (henbane), 
Nicotiana tabacum (Virginian tobacco), Batura stramonium 
(thorn apple), Solanum dulcamara (woody nightshade), Atropa 
mandragora (mandrake), &c.; amongst the plants used in 
domestic economy are, the Capsicum annuum (capsicum or 
chilli), Solanum lycopersicum (love-apple or tomato), and the 
Solanum tuberosum (potato); and amongst the plants which 
add floral beauty to our gardens, will be found the Petunias , 
Verbascum , &c., &c. 
“Solanum tuberosum (the potato), roots creeping and tuberous; 
stems winged; leaves interruptedly pinnated, with somewhat 
heart-shaped, ovate, downy leaflets, oblique at the base; 
flowers no terminal corymbs.”— Lindley . 
This very valuable plant was introduced into this country 
about the year 1693, from South America, and has continued 
ever since, under the influence of cultivation, to yield a great 
number of different varieties, all more or less valuable as food, 
both for man and animals; and although in seasons of great 
plenty it has been given to horses and cattle, it should 
always be previously boiled, and mixed with other food, and 
is even then liable to produce indigestion, flatulence, &c. &c 
