Ch. XXII. ] CLASSES AND ORDERS. 129 
548. In the fifth class are to be found some large natural fami- 
hes of plants; of these I shall mention the Asperifolie, from 
the Latin words asper, rough, and foliwm, a leaf, signifying 
rough-leaved plants. In this family are many different genera, 
all of which have hairy or rough leaves; the Cynoglossum is 
so called from the Greek kwon, a dog, and glossa, tongue, the 
broad oval leaves being thought to resemble a dog’s tongue. 
The common name of the plant is Hound’s-tongue. Although 
this is considered as belonging to the family of rough leaved 
plants, the hairs of its leaves are soft and downy, like the sur- 
face of velvet ; itis about two feet high, having panicles of red- 
dish purple flowers. You must not fail to collect specimens of 
this plant to analyze; it is in blossom about the middle of sum- 
mer, growing by the sides of fences or near roads, and about 
old buildings. 
549. There is a large family of plants in this class, called 
the Luride, from lurid, signifying pale or livid, as this is the ge- 
neral appearance of the plant. In this‘natural assemblage is the 
Potato, the blossoms of which you will do well to examine; the 
little green balls which grow from the flowers are the pericarps 
and contain the seed; but the plant is generally produced from 
the root. 
550. The botanical name of the genusin which the potato is 
found is Solanum, from solor, to comfort; because some species 
in the same genus possess narcotic qualities. You would not 
expect to find in the same genus with the potato, plants which 
are highly poisonous, and yet here is the night-shade (Sola- 
num dulcamara) whose berries are so injurious to life, that thir- 
ty of them once given to a dog, first drove him mad, and then 
eaused his death, in less than three hours. Children should be 
very careful not to touch these berries, which are red, and 
might easily be mistaken for currants, especially as they grow by 
hedges, where such fruit is often found. It is always unsafe to eat 
any vegetable production, which is not well known and familiar. 
551. In the genus Solanum, are the Tomata, or love apple, 
and the Egg-plant, which in southern countries are much used 
in soups and sauces. In our climate, although they may be 
easily cultivated, they do not appear to attain that richness and 
perfection which is common in southern latitudes. 
552. But the most valuable plant in the genus Solanum is 
‘548. What is said of the family called Asperifoliz, and of the genus 
Cynoglossum ? 
' 549. What is said of the fariily called Luride 2 
550. What is said of the genus which contains the potato ? 
551. What is said of the Tomata and Egg-plant ? 
_ 452, What is the most valuable species in the genus Solanum ? 
