190 MEDICINAL AND POISONOUS PLANTS 



The chief active principle is aconitine (C33H45NO12) which is 

 one of several poisonous alkaloids contained in the plant. 

 Medicinally, aconite is used as an external application to re- 



FiG. 177, II. — Nux Vomica. .1, flower-bud. B, same, cut vertically. 

 C, floral diagram. D, fruit cut across. E, seed, entire. F, same cut 

 through embryo between seed-leaves. (Baillon.) 



lieve pain; but from what has been said it is plain that great 

 caution should be observed to prevent the introduction of a 



