The solanaceous plants have, in general, narcotic qualities. In some species these are developed in a great degree, so as to render them extremely poisonous; in others, they are obscured by the prevalence of starchy matter. In some instances parts of the plant have narcotic properties, whilst other parts are used as articles of food. The Bitter Sweet (_Solanum dulcamara_) has slightly narcotic properties, and the scarlet berries are considered poisonous. The Common Nightshade (_Solanum nigrum_) has more active narcotic properties. The Potato (_Solanum tuberosum_) has slight narcotic qualities in its leaves and fruit, but its tubers are edible and nutritious. The Deadly Nightshade (_Atropa belladonna_) is a highly poisonous plant, narcotic in all its parts. Henbane (_Hyoscyamus niger_) contains also similar properties. Many species of Thorn Apple are powerfully narcotic, especially the seeds or fruit; this is especially the case with our common thorn-apple (_Datura stramonium_), with the thorn-apple of the Andes (_Datura sanguinea_), and of North America (_Datura tatula_), the thorn-apples of India (_Datura metel_, _D. ferox_, and _D. fatuosa_). Several species of _Nicotiana_ furnish tobacco. The fruit of different species and varieties of _Capsicum_, which are used as pepper, possess irritant properties which obscure the narcotic action. Other species are used as narcotics, or as poisons, and some, as the Tomato and other Lycopersicums, as articles of food; but the majority give evidence, in some of their parts, of the existence of a narcotic principle.[34] The Kala dhatoora (_Datura fatuosa_) and Sada dhatoora (_Datura alba_) are very common species of thorn-apple over the peninsula of India, where they are also called _mazil_ or _methel_. For the purpose of facilitating theft and other criminal designs, the seeds are very commonly given in Bengal, with sweetmeats, to stupify merely, but not with the intention of killing. Intoxication or delirium is seldom produced. The individual sinks into a profound lethargy, with dilated pupils, but natural respiration. These symptoms have been known to continue for two days. The vision often becomes obscured long after the general recovery takes place. Graham says that the seeds are often fatally used for these purposes in Bombay. The narcotic action is more speedy and powerful on an empty stomach than after a meal; hence death often ensues from the effects when the intention was only to produce narcotism.