By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 241 



cut the thread of life, in allusion to the deadly quality of the plant. 

 Dwale, from the obsolete verb to Dwaule, to be delirious. 



A. Bella-donna, (Linn.) Deadly Nightshade. Bella-donna, (Fair 

 Lady) probably arose from its being used as a cosmetic by the 

 Italian belles. Emj. Bot. t. 595. St. 3, 5. 



Locality. In waste places, especially about old ruins, on a cal- 

 careous soil. P. Fl. June, August. Area, 1. 2. * 4. * 

 South Dicision. 



1. South-east District, "In a lane at the foot of Alderbury Hill," 

 Dr. 3faton, Nat. Hist. Wilts. " Clarendon," Mr. James Hussey. 



2. South-middle District, "In a field belonging to Mr. Farrant 

 at Bemerton," Major Smith. 



North Division. 

 4. North-west District. In the upper part of Box Valley, and 

 Littleton Drew. "Near Bradford," Dr. Davis, " Flor. Bath." 

 A very rare plant in the county, and now become exceedingly scarce 

 in all the localities.' Stems from 2 to 3 feet high. Leaves entire, 

 some very large, but placed in pairs of unequal sizes. Floicets of 

 a lurid purple colour, bell-shaped, drooping. Berries when ripe, of 

 a shining violet black, the size of a small cherry, most poisonous 

 when taken internally. . Their effects are best counteracted by 

 drinking plentifully of vinegar. 



Hyoscyamus, (Linn.) Henbane. 

 Linn. CI. v. Ord. i. 



Named from (Jius, huos), a hog, and {kuamos), a bean, which the 

 fruit somewhat resembles in shape ; but whether hogs are fond of, 

 or can eat it with impunity, is doubtful. 



H. niger, (Linn.), dark or Common Henbane or henne belle, a name 

 apparently formed of hen and bell, suggested by the resemblance of 

 its persistent and enlarged calyx, to the scallop-edged bells of the 

 Middle Ages. Fnyl. Bot. t. 591. St. 3. 4. 



' I am sorry to state that many of the rarer and more local plants of the 

 County, which a few years since were plentiful, are now become extremely 

 scarce from the rapacity of collectors ; this is much to be regretted. I would 

 therefore take the present opportunity of expressing a hope that botanists 

 will, for the future, be more sparing in gathering specimens, lest they soon, 

 become entirely extinct. T, B. F. 

 VOL. XI. — NO. XXXII. T 



