446 XCIX, SOLANACE^, Nicandra, 



to Europe, 1586. It is extensively cultivated in the Middle and Westerri 

 States, and is exported in vast quantities. Stem 4 — 6f high, paniculate above. 

 Leaves 1 — 2f by J— If entire. Flowers rose-color, not inelegant. July. 



Obs —Sir Walter Raleigh has the honor of first introducing the practice of smoking into England, more 

 than 200 years ago, and in his house at Islington is still to be seen a shield bearing his arms, with a tobacco 

 plant at the top. Loudon. The use of this nauseous weeri has become almost universal, and tunushcs 

 a striking illustration of the force of habit. Its first use, whether smoked or chewed produces a deadly 

 sickness; and it is only by repeated and painful trials that it can be tolerated. At length, however, it 

 becomes so iiecessaiy to the comfort of its victim, that, at all times and places, irs precious smoke or 

 extract must be flowing continually from his mouth. Taken into the stomach, it is a powerliU naicotic 

 poison. July. 



3. DATURA. 



An oJteration of the Arabic name Tatorah. 



Calyx large, tubular, ventricose, S-angled, deciduous, with a persis- 

 tent, orbicular, peltate base ; corolla infundibuliform, tube cylindric, 

 long, limb 5-angled and plaited ; stamens 5 ; stigma obtuse, bilamel- 

 late ; capsule 2-celled, 4-valved ; cells 2 — 3-parted. — ® herbs^ with 

 bluish-white or purple., solitary., axillary flowers. 



1. D. Stramonium. Thorn Apple. 



S/. dichotomous ; As. ovate, smooth, angular-dentate; ca^s. spiny, erect. — 

 A well-known poi.sonous plant, growing among rubbish in waste places. Stem 

 about 3f high, smooth, hollow. Leaves large, situated at the base of the dichoto- 

 mous branches, their sides unequal, with large, irregular teeth and sinu.ses. 

 Flowers solitary, axillary; corolla funnel-shaped, with a long tube and a plaited, 

 5-toothed border, the color white with a slight tinge of purple. Fruit egg-shaped, 

 the size of a small apple, covered with spines. Aug. — Every part is poisonous, 

 but, when used Avith certain restrictions, is a useful medicine lor asthma, &c. ^ 

 p. Tatula. St. and Jls. purple. — This variety has advanced along the national 

 road to la., Plummerl and 111., Mead. 



2. D. Metel. 



lyvs. cordate, nearly entire, pubescent;//, prickly, globose, nodding. — 

 Banks of the Ohio, Lnc/ce. . Doubtless introduced, having escaped from gardens. 

 Plant 2f high. Flowers white. ^ f 



4. HYOSCYAmUS. Tourn. 



Gf, v;, t'oj, a pig, and Kvano;, bean; the fruit is said to be not poisonous to swine. 



Calyx tubular, 5-cleft ; corolla infundibuliform, irregular ; one of 

 tbe 5, obtuse lobes larger ; stamens 5, declinate ; stigma capitate ; 

 capsule ovoid, 2-celled, opening with a lid near the summit. — Coarse, 

 weed-like herbs, native in eastern countries. 

 ri. NIGER. Commmi Henbane. 



St. branching, erect, very leafy ; Zr.s. sinuate, clasping ; /s. sessile. — (g) A 

 tall, well known, fetid weed, growing about the rubbish of old houses, road- 

 sides, &c. The whole plant is hairy, viscid, and of a sea-green hue, emitting 

 a toetid odor. Stem 2f high, round. Leaves large, oblong,. cut into acute, sinu- 

 ate lobes. Flowers in terminal, one-sided .spikes ; the corolla straAv-color, iinely 

 reticulated with dark purple veins. The whole plant is reputed poisonous, but 

 has long been regarded as an excellent medicine in nervous diseases, coughs, 

 convulsions, &c. Jl. ^ 



5. NIC AN DR A. Adans. 



In honor of Nicander, a Greek physician, who lived about 50 years B. C. 



Calyx 5-cleft, 5-angled, the angles compressed, sepals sagittate ; 

 corolla campanulate ; stamens 5, incurved ; berry 3 — 5-celled, en- 

 veloped in the persistent calyx. — (D Peruvian herbs* 



N. PHYSALdiDES. Adaus. (Atropa physaloides. Linn.) Apple of Peru. — St. 

 herbaceous; Irs. glabrous, sinuate, angular; fls. solitary, axillary, "on short pe- 

 iuncles ; cat. closed with the angles very acute. — Native of Peru, cultivated in 

 gardens, from whence it has in a feiv instances strayed into the neighboring 



