IX. 
ATROPA BELLADONNA. 
Common Dwale, Deadly Nightshade. 
Srvonrms.—Belladonna, Raii Syn. Solanum maniacum; Sol. furiosum, Olim. 
Sol. lethale, Ger. Em. 340; Park. 346 ; Clus. Hist., pp. 86, 166. Sol. melano- 
ceros,Bauhin, Thy. Sol. somniferum, Buch. Hist. Scot. 3 Lobel. Bell. trichotoma, 
Atropa lethalis, Salish. Prodr. Sol. sylvaticum, Gesner. Scop. Carn. Sol. Hor- 
tense, Tragus. Sol. magus, Matthiolus. Sol. lethale, Gerarde. Atropa Belladonna, 
Lin., Sp. Plant., 260, eto. 
Forrian Names.—Fy.: Belladone. fal.: Belladonna. Span. and Port.: 
Belladona. Germ.: Tollkirsche. _Dut.: Besiedraagend doodkruit ; Doodelyke 
naghtschade. Swed. : Wargbir. Dan.: Natskade. Russ. : Krasavitsa, Odur- 
nik. Arab.: Inubas saleb. Pers.: Rorbah turbuc. Hind. : Sug-unggor. 
Nat. Order, SoLaANEx.—PENTANDRIA, Monoeynta, 
Gen. CHar.—Calyz five, partite. Corolla campanulate, twice the length 
of calyx; the lobes equal. Stamens distinct. Berry of two cells. 
Spec. Cuar.—Stem herbaceous. Leaves ovate, undivided. Flowers 
axillary, on short peduncles, solitary. 
History.—Like most of the medicinal substances known to 
the ancient physicians, the early history of Belladonna is 
involved in uncertainty. Dodoneus supposed that this plant 
is synonymous with the Mandragora described by Theophrastus. 
Dioscorides also (lib. vii. cap. 71), under the name Solanum 
Hortense, describes a plant which, both in its botanical as well 
as medicinal character, is very similar to the Atropa. “The 
seed is round, at first green, then turning black, and is pecu- 
Fig. 1. The corolla and stamens, 2. Calyx and pistil. 3. Section of the 
