DEFENCE. 105 



as in the Deadly Night-shade ; in the leaves, as in 

 Foxglove ; in the bark, as in Sassy-bark, the bark of 

 the Erythrophleum guineense, or ordeal tree of West 

 Africa, in the Roots or Rhizomes, as in Monkshood or 

 Aconite. 



Most of these poisonous plants are remarkable in 

 colour or shape, as is obvious, if one calls to mind the 

 conspicuous lurid purple of Aconite flowers, and the 

 berries of Solanum Nigrum, or the very extraordinary 

 shape of the seeds of Strophanthus and Strychnos ; and 

 it is quite probable that the larger and more intelli- 

 gent animals recognise their dangerous character and 

 leave them alone. Such poisonous qualities also run in 

 plant families. Among the British orders, the Solanaceae, 

 Ranunculaceae (Buttercups), Liliaceae, and Amaryllidaceae, 

 are exceedingly poisonous, whilst others, such as Cruci- 

 ferae, are quite harmless. 



Scents. — Another very marked characteristic which 

 also seems to run in families, and is intended for defence, 

 consists in the possession of strong perfumes or scents, 

 such as are given off, for instance, by the foliage of 

 Mints, Lavenders, and similar plants. Grazing animals 

 are much more dainty in their tastes than is generally 

 supposed. Horses will sometimes refuse hay without 

 Sweet Vernal Grass, if they have been accustomed to 

 the smell of the new-mown hay which is given off by 

 it. Two common British Natural Orders, the Labiatae 

 and Umbelliferae, are especially remarkable for pos- 

 sessing ethereal oils and perfumes of this kind. To the 

 first belong Sage, Mint, Lavender, Thyme, Balm, Rosemary, 

 Horehound, and Basil (all well-known spices or condi- 

 ments), and also others, such as Woundwort {Stachys 

 silvatica), which has a very powerful and objectionable 

 odour. The Umbelliferae include Myrrhis, Caraway, 



