DRUGS. 



fera (\sx.Jlexuosa, Nees) was the original Kaknuj, and that the N. indica 

 was merely used as a substitute." He then goes on to prove that the 

 Puneer-ja-fota of Sind is the true Ilub-ul-kaking, and establishes the 

 plant as a new genus, its specific name being derived from its being used 

 as the Solanum sanctum, Forskal (S. coagulans is the name Forskal 

 gives), is in Arabia to coagulate milk. There can be scarcely a doubt of 

 the correctness of Stocks' view ; of all writers on Indian botany, he having 

 been the most accomplished and the shrewdest, and always absolutely 

 truthful. He warns the reader, however, that if his Puneeria coagulans 

 be not the source of Kaknuj, the synonymes of that drug as above given 

 must be transferred to some other plant. * The Physalis Alkekengi (Linn.), 

 is Pliny's first kind of halicacabum, called also callion and vesicaria. 

 See " Miscellaneous" Class. 



N. O. 158. ATROPACE^E. ATROPADS. 



Atropa Belladonna. Linn. Deadly Nightshade, Common Dwale. 



Linn. Syst. Pentandria Monogynia. 



The berry. 



Vernacular. Sug-ungoor, Ungoor-shefa, Hind. Girboolee, By. 



Habitat. Temperate Europe. 



Remarks. Not well identified with any plant described by Theophras- 

 tus, Dioscorides, and Pliny. Tragus (A. D. 1513) first undoubtedly 

 mentions it. It is supposed to have been the plant which so fatally affected 

 the Roman soldiers during their retreat from the Parthians ; and Buchanan 

 tells us that when Sweno invaded Scotland, the wily Banquo provided the 

 hostile army with liquors poisoned with Dwale, on drinking which they 

 were quickly overpowered, Sweno himself scarcely escaping. "The insane 

 root that takes the reason prisoner" of Shakespeare is also thought to be 

 the Deadly Nightshade. mi * 4* - 



from its being 



ghtshade. The appellation of Bella-donna arose, perhaps, 

 used by Italian belles to dilate the pupils of their eyes. 



Datura Hummatu var. fastuosa. Bernh. Purple Thorn-apple. 

 Datura Metel. W. Downy Thorn-apple. 



Linn. Syst. Pentandria Monogynia. 



The seed. 



Vernacular. Black species, Doostoora, Krishna-dhattura, Sans. 

 Kala-dhatura, Lal-dhatura, Hind., Beng. Umana, Nela-hum- 

 matu, Mai. Karoo-oomattay, Tarn. Nulla-oomatie, Tel. Kaloo- 

 attana, Antenna, Cey. Runjdhestee, Arab. Goozgeeah, Pers. 

 Motecubung, Malay. White- species, Sada-dhatura, Hind., Beng. 

 Hummatu, Mai. Tellay-oomattay, Tarn. Tella-oomatie, Dat- 

 turamuy Tel. Suda-attana, Cey. Both in common, Dhatura, 

 India. Jowz-mazil (Methel-seecl), Arab. 



Habitat. Egypt; Asia, 

 60 



