124 POISONOUS PLANTS 



and only half-opened corolla. Unlike the preceding 

 members of the Potato family, this and the Hen- 

 bane have capsules and not berries. The Thorn- 

 apple derives its name from the fruit being covered 

 with spines. When ripe it bursts into four valves, 

 leaving a large central structure upon which are 

 several black rough seeds. 



The whole plant is poisonous, but the seeds are 

 the most active ; neither drying nor boiling destroys 

 the poisonous properties. 



Among human beings the greater number of 

 accidents have occurred among children who have 

 eaten the half-ripe seeds, which have a sweetish 

 taste. 



Browsing animals refuse to eat the Thorn-apple, 

 being repelled by its disagreeable odour and 

 nauseous taste. 



The stem and leaves dried and smoked form a 

 popular remedy for asthma ; but their employment 

 is dangerous and doubtfully remedial. 



It is said that the priests of Delphi used either 

 this or some other species of Datura to produce 

 their semi-delirious paroxysms, believed by the 

 populace as being of divine inspiration. It is 

 thought to act more powerfully on the brain than 

 Belladonna, and to produce greater delirium.^ 



Henbane {Hyoscyamus 7iigei% Fig. 32). — This is 



^ The same remedies are recommended as for Belladonna 

 or Deadly Nightshade^ note, p. 122. 



