120 POISONOUS PLANTS 



four feet in height, branching with rather large 

 leaves finely pubescent or downy, oval and pointed. 

 The flower has a tubular corolla of a purplish-blue 

 colour. The rather large berries are shining and 

 black, when ripe (see figure). 



The Belladonna is very poisonous ; the berries, 

 which are intensely sweet, having caused many 

 mishaps among children ; though of all its parts 

 the berries are the least rich in active principles, as 

 compared with the roots, which are the most active ; 

 and the stem, leaves, and flowers, which take an 

 intermediate position. 



Drying does not destroy the poisonous properties. 



Men and animals suffer alike from the Belladonna, 

 but in different degrees. Man is most susceptible, 

 after him are the cat, bird, and dog ; the horse is 

 less affected by it. The pig, goat, sheep, and 

 rabbit are but little sensible to its action ; but only 

 in consequence of a more rapid elimination of the 

 poison. 



The same remark applies to Cytisine of the 

 Laburnum. 



An adult person has eaten two or three berries 

 without injury, but beyond that dangerous symp- 

 toms are experienced ; but it has been recorded 

 that, on one occasion, a fatal result did not follow 

 the consumption of thirty berries. Fortunately 

 the principle is of itself an emetic. 



Children are always more susceptible than adults. 



