301 FLORA HISTORIC A. 



THORN-APPLE. Datura Stramonium. 



Natural Order Luridce. ^olanece^ Jiiss: a Genus of 

 the Pentandria Monogynia Class. 



** Their powers mysterious let thy knowledg-e shift. 

 Their useful poisons, and their liealing- g-ifts." 



De Lille. 



In symbolical language the Datura is made the 

 emblem of deceitful charms, and the common 

 Stramonium is given to represent disguisement. 



This dangerous narcotic plant clothes itself 

 with such an elegant indented foliage, and gar- 

 nishes its branches with corollas of such graceful 

 and negligent a shape, and of so pure a white, 

 that all suspicion of its deleterious nature seems 

 lulled to rest, whilst Hke the lamise of old its 

 charms only allure that its powers may destroy. 

 Children are no longer in danger of being de- 

 voured by lamiee; but they are not free from 

 danger where the Stramonium flourishes, as we 

 have known several instances of its baneful ef- 

 fects to young persons who have endeavoured to 

 chew this plant. It is only within this last year 



