162 HYOSCYAMUS NIGER. 
the preceding year. The seeds, which produced 
these plants, had probably been buried for more 
than fifteen years. 
This species, together with others of its genus, 
was well known to the ancients under the same 
fame which it now bears. Its medicinal and 
deleterious properties were also understood by 
them. 
In modern arrangements the Hyoscyamus in 
common with Datura, Atropa and other injurious 
vegetables of its kindred, is found in the class and 
order Pentandria Monogynia, and the natural or-— 
der Luride. Its Jussicuean order is Solanew.o/( 
In. this genus the corolla is funnel shaped = 
and obtuse, the stamens inclined, the capsule two 
celled and covered with a lid. 
The present species has the lower leaves sinu- 
ated and clasping, and the flowers sessile. It is 
biennial and flowers in June and July. 
The whole herb has a glaucous or sea green 
colour, is hairy and viscid, and emits a rank, offen- 
sive smell. The stalk is one or two feet high, 
round, branching and rigid. The first leaves 
spread upon the ground, and have some. re- 
semblance to a young thistle. They are large, _ 
oblong, frequently contorted, clasping, cut into 
