Dr Balfour's Description of Rare Plants. 369 



specimen, however, is not to be found in Dr Hamilton's herba- 

 rium at present. 

 The root of the plant possesses extreme acrimony, and very marked 

 narcotic properties. It is said to be the most poisonous of the 

 genus, and as such has been employed in India. Wallich says, 

 that in the Turraye, or low forest lands which skirt the approach 

 to Nipal, and among the lower range of hills, especially at a 

 place called Hetounra, quantities of the bruised root were thrown 

 into wells and reservoirs, for the purpose of poisoning our men 

 and cattle. By the vigilant precaution of our troops, however, 

 these nefarious designs were providentially frustrated. In the 

 northern parts of Hindustan, arrows poisoned with the root of 

 Bikh are used for destroying tigers. The root, according to 

 Royle, is sent down into the plains, and used in the cure of 

 chronic rheumatism, under the name of Meetha tellia. Roots, 

 apparently of this plant, were sent to Dr Christison from Madras 

 under the name of Nabee. Pereira made a series of experiments 

 on roots of Bikh, which had been kept for ten years in Dr Wal- 

 lich's herbarium. These experiments are detailed in the Journal 

 of Natural and Geographical Science for 1830, vol. ii., p. 2'db. 

 The roots were administered to animals in the form of powder, and 

 spirituous and watery extract. The spirituous extract was the 

 most energetic. The poison was introduced into the stomach, 

 the jugular vein, the cavity of the peritonaBum, and the cellular 

 tissue of the back. The effects produced were difficulty of breath- 

 ing, weakness, and subsequently paralysis, which generally shewed 

 itself first in the posterior extremities, vertigo, convulsions, dila- 

 tation of the pupil, and death apparently from asphyxia. One 

 grain of the alcoholic extract, introduced into the peritoneal sac of 

 a small rabbit, caused death in 9^ minutes ; and a similar quan- 

 tity, introduced into the cellular tissue of the left lumbar region, 

 proved fatal in 1.5 minutes. Two grains and a half of the same 

 extract, introduced into the jugular vein of a strong dog, caused 

 death in 3 minutes. 



Explanation of Plate V. 



The beautiful drawing has been executed by Mr James M'Nab, Super- 

 intendent oi' the lloyal Botanic Garden. 



1. Part of a flowering panicle of Aconitum fcrox. 2. Five-lobcd pal- 

 mate leaf. 3. Peduncle and bracts, receptacle, stamens, and the two cucul- 

 liform petals. f. A single cucuUiform petal separated. 5. Five fol- 

 licles forming the fruit. 



