MAXDKAKi:. 



called Dudaxm : that these people held it in the. 

 highest esteem in the days of Jacob, is evident from 

 the notice of its having been found by Reuben, 

 who carried the plant to his mother ; and the in- 

 ducement which tempted Leah to part with it, 

 proves the value then set upon this celebrated 

 plant. 



As we have no authority for believing the He- 

 brews used the mandrake for superstitious purposes, 

 it is most probable that they were acquainted with 

 its anodyne and soporific properties ; and perhaps 

 it was the only opiate known in that age, which 

 alone would render it an invaluable root to persons 

 who could receive no medical assistance but what 

 their own household afforded. This plant was 

 thought to possess the properties of making child- 

 less wives become mothers ; and hence some sup- 

 pose Rachel became so desirous to possess the 

 Mandrakes that Reuben had found. 



The Greeks were evidently acquainted with the 

 dangerous properties of the Mandrake, as is shown 

 by the names bestowed on it, that of Circeium beino- 

 derived from Circe, a witch celebrated in fable for 

 her knowledge of magic and venomous herbs. The 

 name of Atropa is after Atropos, the eldest of the 

 Parcae, whose duty among the three Fates was to 

 cut the thread of life, without regard to sex, age, 

 or quality. 



