70 PENTANDUIA. 



red currants, they should be prevented from eating 

 them. 



DEADLY NIGHTSHADE, Atropa bella- 

 donna. This plant grows in shady and stony waste 

 grounds, but is no where very common. The flowers,, 

 which are bell-shaped, are of a dark or brownish pur- 

 ple, and make their appearance in June or July. The 

 berries are ripe in September, when they are of a 

 shining back colour-. 



Both the leaves and berries of this plant are a strong 

 narcotic poison, and there are many instances of theii 

 fatal effects, particularly on children, who are readily 

 tempted to eat the fruit, from its alluring appearance 

 and sweet taste. Sauvages, a learned French phy- 

 sician, supposes this to be the plant which produced 

 such dreadful effects upon the Roman soldiers, during 

 their retreat from the Parthians, under the command 

 of Anthony. 



Among the Scots, according to their historian 

 Buchanan, the poisonous effects of this plant were 

 known at a very early time; and the instance he 

 records of its use does more honour to his candour 

 than it reflects credit on his country. The root also 

 partakes of the same quality as the leaves, but less 

 virulent ; and Shakespeare, in his Macbeth, makes 

 Banquo say, 



* Or have we eaten of the insane root, 

 That takes the reason prisoner ?' 



I have introduced this plant with the Woody Night- 



