CLIMBING NIGHTSHADE from Malabar: A genus of the trigynia order, belonging to the pentandria clas of plants; and in the natural method ranking ranking under the 12th order, Holbraceae. The calyx is wanting; the corolla is seven-cleft, with the two opposite divisions broader, and at last berried; there is one seed.

Species. 1. The rubra, with red leaves and simple footstalks, has thick, strong, succulent stalks and leaves, which are of a deep purple colour. The plant will climb to the height of ten or twelve feet, provided it is kept in a stove; but in the open air it will not grow so large in this country; nor will the seeds come to perfection in the open air, unless in very warm seasons. The flowers of this plant have no great beauty, but it is cultivated on account of the odd appearance of its stalks and leaves. There is a variety of this with green stalks and leaves, and the flowers of a whitish green colour tipped with purple. 2. The alba, with oval waved leaves. This sort hath flaccid leaves, and smaller flowers and fruit than the first. The plants will climb to a considerable height, and send forth a great number of branches; so they should be trained up to a trellis, or fastened to the back of the stove, otherwise they will twist themselves about whatever plants stand near them, which will make a very disagreeable appearance.

Culture. These plants are propagated from seeds, which should be sown on a moderate hot-bed in the spring; and when the plants are fit to remove, they should be each planted in a separate pot, and plunged into the tan bed, where they are to be treated like other tender exotics. They may be also propagated from cuttings; but as they arise so easily from the seeds, the latter method is seldom practised.

Uses. The berries of the first species are said to be used for staining calicoes in India. Mr Miller affirms us, that he has seen a very beautiful colour drawn from them, but which did not continue long when used in painting. He is of opinion, however, that a method of fixing the colour might be invented, in which case the plant would be very useful.—This, we apprehend, might be accomplished by means of solution of tin in aqua regia, which hath a surprising effect both in brightening and giving durability to other vegetable colours.