MONOCOTYLEDONS 



163 



sexes are distinct on different plants ; and bearing 

 large quantities of scarlet berries in the autumn. 



The root abounds in starch, like that of the true 

 Bryony, to which this plant has, of course, no 

 affinity, being a monocotyledon. It is purgative, 

 and has been used in popular medicines, when 

 reduced to pulp, for ap- 

 plication to bruises. 

 Hence it acquired the 

 name in France of "Herbe 

 aux femmes battues ! " 



The stems and leaves 

 appear to have little or 

 no deleterious properties ; 

 inasmuch as the Italians 

 and Arabs are said to eat 

 the young shoots like as- 

 paragus; and it is said that 

 goats and sheep browse 

 upon it with impunity. 



The fruit, however, is 

 decidedly poisonous ; the 

 juicy berries being without any disagreeable flavour, 

 often attract children. Indeed, near Lyons, a 

 woman gave her child the berries to eat, which 

 proved fatal. The poison proved to belong to the 

 acrid-narcotic class. 



The large fleshy root is dark-coloured externally, 

 otherwise resembling that of the Bryony. It is 



42 



Tamus communis 

 Bryony. 



Black 



