pPant/ of 4??-(^rmq. 87 



The noxious exudations of the Manchineel-tree are said to 

 cause certain death to those who rashly sleep beneath its foliage. 

 The wonderfully fragrant blossoms of the Magnolia grandiflora 

 emit so strong a perfume that, when inhaled in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of a group in flower, it becomes overpowering. The 

 Indians will never sleep under Magnolia in blossom. 



Linnffius has mentioned a case in which the odour of the 

 Oleander, or Rose-bay {Neyium Oleander), proved fatal. The foliage 

 and flowers of this shrub will exercise a deadly influence on many 

 quadrupeds: hence it is called in India the Horse-killer, and in 

 Italy, Ass-bane. 



The Elder-tree is reputed to exhale so narcotic a scent when 

 in flower, that it is unwholesome for animals to rest under its shade; 

 and it is considered unadvisable to plant one of these trees where 

 its exhalations can be wafted into a sleeping apartment. On 

 account of this pungent smell, country people often strike with 

 Elder-boughs the leaves of fruit-trees and vegetables, in order that 

 by being impregnated with the scent of the Elder-berries, they may 

 prove noisome to troublesome insects. 



The Jatropha urens, a native of Brazil, is a plant the properties 

 of which are so noxious that its possession is absolutely fraught 

 with danger. Not many years ago the Curator of Kew Gardens 

 was one day reaching over a plant when its fine bristly stings 

 touched his wrist : the first sensation was a numbness and swelling 

 of the lips ; the action of the poison was on the heart, circulation 

 was stopped, and the unfortunate Curator soon fell unconscious. 

 A doctor was fetched, who administered antidotes effectually; but 

 no gardener could afterwards be got to come within arm's length 

 of the diabolical plant ; and both it and another specimen, subse- 

 quently introduced, shortly afterwards mysteriously disappeared 

 from the house. 



The Nitraria tridentata, which is by some believed to be the 

 Lotos-tree of the ancients, grows in the Desert of Soussa, near 

 Tunis, and is called Damouch by the Arabs, who are fully alive to 

 the semi-intoxicating qualities of its berries, which produce a state 

 of lassitude similar to the infatuating food of the Lotophagi. 



Alex. Pouchkine has given a vivid descripition of the Indian 

 Antchar, thought to be a variety Aconititm ferox. Growing in a wild 

 and sterile desert, this Antchar has its roots and the sickly verdure 

 of its branches steeped in poison. Melted by the mid-day heat, 

 the poison filter^ through the plant's outer skin in clammy drops : 

 in the evening these become congealed into a transparent gum. 

 Birds turn aside directly they see this deadly plant ; the tiger 

 avoids it; a passing puff of wind shakes its foliage, — the wind 

 hurries on tainted and infected ; a shower waters for an instant its 

 drooping leaves, and from its branches forthwith falls a deadly 

 rain on the burning soil. But a man has made a sign : another 

 man obeys. The Antchar must be procured. He departs without 



