284' FLORA HISTORICA. 



Waller observes, in his Domestic Herbal, that 

 the fumes of this plant, received like those of to- 

 bacco, have, in no instance that he had heard of, 

 been productive of any ill effects ; whilst at the 

 same time, he says he has often witnessed the most 

 beneficial results from its use in this manner, in 

 asthmas, and old inveterate coughs. Some per- 

 sons smoke the Stramonium alone, others mix it 

 witlr tobacco ; " the best method, however, in my 

 estimation," says Mr. Waller, " is a mixture of one 

 third part of the stalks, fruit, leaves, and seeds of 

 the Stramonium, properly dried, cut, and bruised, 

 mixed with two thirds of herb tobacco."'' 



An ointment, prepared from the leaves of the 

 Stramonium, gives ease in external inflammations 

 and haemorrhoids. 



This plant is unquestionably a native of Ame- 

 rica ; Kalm says that in many parts of that exten- 

 sive country it is one of the most troublesome 

 weeds that grow about the villages, where the land 

 is cultivated ; and it has been frequently observed 

 that in the earth brought with plants from various 

 parts of the new world, the Thorn-apple often 

 springs up. The earliest English writers on plants 

 who have mentioned the Datura, call it Thorny- 

 apple of Peru. It appears to have travelled through 

 the East Indies and Persia to Europe, as we find 

 the seed was first brought to this country from 



