1863.] ON THE ODOURS OF PLANTS. . 489 



This view seems to be well supported in tlie Solanace<E, Umbel- 

 liferae, and Scrophulariacea, on the one liand^ and the Labiata 

 and Rosacece on the other; many individuals in the former fami- 

 lies, distinguished by their strong repulsive odour, are poisonous 

 in an eminent degree, e.g. among the Umbellifers we find Conium 

 maculatum and (Enanthe crocata, both well-known toxicants, but 

 happily, as far as Scotland is concerned, neither is very common ; 

 the latter plant however abounds along the Tay, below Perth. 

 So very noxious is the effluvium emanating from this plant, that 

 its inhalation by the author of this paper produced a severe head- 

 ache, and almost prevented him from procuring and preparing a 

 dried specimen for his herbarium. Among the Figworts are 

 found Bcrophularia vernalis and 8. nodosa, the smell of neither 

 being inviting, that of the former positively disgusting. 



The Nightshade family possesses many heavy-scented plants of 

 very poisonous qualities; Hyoscyamus niger andAiropaBelladonna 

 may be quoted as examples, both of which are highly venefic and 

 unfit for human food, yet valuable as medicines. We here observe 

 the goodness and benevolence of our great Creator, who has im- 

 parted to vegetable tribes certain odorous properties agreeable or 

 otherwise, to serve as a guide to his intelligent offspring, Man, 

 by which he may be guided in his selection, according as their 

 odours are pleasing or disagreeable to his senses. 



In this case, as in all others of a general nature, exceptions 

 will and do occur, but these exceptions are very disproportionate 

 to the rule. 



From the foregoing statements and remarks, we thus see that 

 the good or bad odours peculiar to certain plants, furnish a pretty 

 safe criterion by which we may be enabled to distinguish their 

 species and determine their qualities. This principle appears to 

 hold good throughout the entire vegetable kingdom. 



In Malta, the prevalence of the Labiates is remarkable ; the 

 aromatic odour arising from plants of this family on the arid and 

 rocky knolls of that island, is peculiarly agreeable. On the con- 

 trary, the heavy, sickening odour of many plants and flowers 

 inhabiting the jungles and ravines of the West Indies is no less 

 singular. The reason is obvious ; Malta abounds in the Labiates, 

 while St. Lucia is equally prolific in those Orders containing 

 heavy-scented and deleterious species. 



The cause of the aromatic odour in many plants can with faci- 



N. S. VOL. VI. 3 R 



