xxxi . RIVERSIDE LETTERS 245 



first mistook for the bog-bean a mass of 

 flowers. I carried some to a lady botanical 

 professor, in order to obtain the name. 

 There is a purple-flowered variety of the 

 tulip tree I am told." 



Mr. Smallfield also sets me right as to the 

 proper derivation of the name " Dwale " for 

 the deadly nightshade, sending me the follow- 

 ing extract from H alii well's Dictionary of 

 Archaic and Provincial Words: 



" Dwale. The nightshade (Anglo-Saxon). 

 It is highly narcotic, and hence used to 

 express a lethargic disease. See Relig. 

 Antiq., i. 324, for a curious receipt in which 

 it is mentioned. There was a sleeping 

 potion so called, made of hemlock and other 

 materials, which is alluded to by Chaucer, 

 and was given formerly to patients on 

 whom surgical operations were to be per- 

 formed. 



" To dwale, to mutter deliriously ; a Devon- 

 shire verb, which seems to be connected with 

 other times, 



