SOLANACEAE 225 



Obs. This plant which became known to Europeans about the 

 year 1560 though sparingly cultivated in Chester County, is a 

 staple article among the Planters of several Southern and Western 

 States. The commercial importance which this nauseous and pow- 

 erful narcotic has acquired, together with the modes, and extent, 

 in which it is employed to gratify the senses, certainly constitutes 

 one of the most remarkable traits in the history of civilized man. 

 Were we not so practically familiar with the business, we should, 

 doubtless, be disposed to regard the whole story of the Tobacco 

 trade and of the uses made of the disgusting herb as an absurd 

 and extravagant fable. In view of the facts and circumstances, it 

 does seem like sheer affectation, on our part, to pretend to be as- 

 tonished at the indulgence of the Chinese, and other Asiatics, in 

 the use of Opium. The habitual use of Tobacco is always more or 

 less injurious to the system especially the nervous system; and 

 in many instances it is highly deleterious. I speak from long ob- 

 servation, and personal experience, having smoked and chewed the 

 herb, until its pernicious effects compelled me to es-chew it altogether. 



325. DATITRA, L. 



[Supposed to be from Tatorah, the Arabic name of the plant.] 

 Calyx tubular, prismatic, separating transversely above the base, 

 in fruit. Corolla funnel-form, the border plicately 5-toothed. - 

 Stamens included. Stigma 2-lipped. Capsule oval, or subgloboee, 

 mostly prickly, 4-valved, 4-celled at base, 2-celled at summit. 

 Seeds subreniform, roughish-dotted. Coarse annuals, fetid when 

 bruised: leaves somewhat in opposite pairs; flowers large, solitary, 

 axillary or dichotomal, on short peduncles. 



1. D. Stramdnium, L. Smooth; stem dichotomously branching; 

 leaves ovate, angulate, or sinuate-dentate, petiolate; capsule mn- 

 ricate, erect. 



Jamestown (corruptly Jimsori) Weed. Thorn-apple. 



Stem 2 to 5 feet high, rather stout, terete, pale yellowish-green (brownish-purple 

 In var. Tatula). Leaves 4 to 6 or 8 inches long ; petioles 1 to 3 or 4 inches in length. 

 Calyx prominently 5-angled, nearly half as long as the corolla, deciduous, leaving 

 the persistent base orbicular. Corolla about 3 inches long, ochroleucous (pale 

 Ttolet-purple in var. Tatuld). Capsule about an inch in diameter. 

 Hob. Waste places : introduced. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. The variety, Tatula with dark purple stems, and purplish 

 flowers, is the one which prevails in Chester County ; though the 

 other is common in and around Philadelphia, and is gradually 

 extending in this direction. It is generally put down as a native of 

 America ; but I strongly suspect it is of Asiatic origin, and am 

 very confident it is a stranger in this region. The herb, and seeds, 

 are powerfully narcotic poisons, and therefore, no doubt, potent 

 medicines, when properly administered ; but the plant is regarded, 

 and treated, as an obnoxious weed, by all neat farmers. 



tf Corolla campanvlate, or rotate ; stamens connivent; fruit a berry. 



* AnUiors opening longitudinally. 



15 



