TUORN-ArPLE. 281 



THORN-APPLE. Datura Stramoniwn, 



Natural Order Luridce. Solanece, Jiiss. A Genus of 

 the Pentandria Monogynia Class. 



Their powers mysterious let thy knowledge shift, 

 Their useful poison, and their healing gift. 



De Lille. 



In symbolical language the Datura is made the em- 

 blem of deceitful charms, and the common Stramo- 

 nium is given to represent disguisement. 



This dangerous narcotic plant clothes itself with 

 such an elegant indented foliage, and garnishes its 

 branches with corollas of so graceful and negli- 

 gent a shape, and of so pure a white, that all sus- 

 picion of its deleterious nature seems lulled to rest, 

 whilst, like the Lamias of old, its charms only allure 

 that its powers may destroy. Children are no 

 longer in danger of being devoured by Lamise ; but 

 they are not free from danger where the Stramo- 

 nium flourishes, as we have known several instances 

 of its baneful effects to young persons who have en- 

 deavoured to chew this plant. It is only within 

 a few years that a child, who amused itself with 

 this poisonous plant in a garden at Worthing, was 

 so affected as to have been in the greatest danger. 



