I06 POISONOUS PLANTS 



from one to two feet high. Another species, ac- 

 cording to some botanists, Z. Scariola, has erect 

 leaves, with deeply-cut lobes; but Mr. Bentham unites 

 the two. It is the origin of the garden lettuce. 



In the wild state it exhales a disagreeable odour, 

 so that animals will not touch it. But it has no 

 very active properties. 



It was thought that the milky juice was the same 

 as in poppies, but analyses can trace neither mor- 

 phine nor narcotine, which is characteristic of the 

 opium poppy. The principle is peculiar to this 

 plant, and is called Lactucine. 



It is to this that the lettuce owes its narcotic 

 properties ; but no case is known of any poisoning 

 by Lactucarium or " Lettuce opium " as the in- 

 spissated milky juice is called. It has a weak 

 narcotic action when given in doses of from five 

 to twenty grains. Two grains will cause headache 

 and somnolency in some persons ; so that it has 

 been recommended as a substitute for opium, as it 

 is not followed by the injurious effects of that 

 drug. 



It has had the credit of being a poisonous plant ; 

 but it would seem that its deleterious properties 

 have been somewhat exaggerated.^ 



Lobelia Family {Lobeliacece), — Lobelias are 



* Dr. Tanner knew of no case of poisoning in 1862. 

 Should such occur, emetics and full doses of castor-oil might 

 be given. 



