AT2 ORD. XXXVI. Multisilique. DpeLpninruM STAPHISAGRIA,. 
than those of the corolla; the two superior are narrow, small, erect, 
and at the base drawn out into spurs like that of the petal, in 
which they are both inclosed; the other two are roundish, and 
plaited at the edges: the filaments are about twenty, short, 
tapering, and crowned with large yellow anthere: the germens 
are three. closely compressing each other, tapering, very downy, 
and supplied with filiform short styles, terminated by simple 
stigmata: the three capsules are straight, oblong, tapering, and 
contain many rough, brown, triangular seeds, 
Stavesacre, which is a native of the southern parts of Europe, 
was cultivated here in the time of Gerard :” it is a handsome plant, 
though less beautiful than many of the other species of Larkspur. 
The seeds, which are the only part of the plant directed for me- 
dicinal use, are usually imported here from Italy ; *they are large, 
rough, of an irregular triangular figure, and of a blackish colour 
on the outside, but yellowish within; their smell is disagreeable, 
and somewhat fetid; to the taste they are very bitter, acrid, and 
nauseous. Their virtues are extracted partially by water, and 
completely by rectified spirit. 
_ These seeds seem to have been known to the ancients,* by whom 
they were employed as a masticatory, for on being chewed they 
excite a copious flow of saliva, and on this account were recom- 
mended in tooth-achs, and other painful affections of the face and 
gums. The ancients also prescribed them with a view to their 
emetic and cathartic effects in doses of ten or fifteen grains:* but 
the deleterious narcotic qualities of Stavesacre were discovered to 
be so powerful as to forbid its internal use. Schultz, only by 
keeping it some time in his mouth, to relieve a tooth-ach, was for 
a time deprived of his senses;* and Hillefeld has related, that a 
dog, by taking five scruples of these seeds, became convulsed, and 
_ * In 1596. Vide Aiton’s Hort. Kew. 
© Zragus dye Dios, eadem videtur, licet Glasti flores adscribat. Murr. App, 
Med. aol. iit. p. 32. 
* Vide Dioscor. & De la Boe Sylvius. De purg. §¢. 
* See his Mat. Med. p. 435. 
