152 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES DATE 



been introduced into Egypt, whence it is called Lotus Tree. It 

 lias fruited at Kew. 



Date Plum, European {Diospyros Lotus), a low - growing 

 tree, native of the South of Europe. It produces a small fruit, 

 which is supposed by some writers to be one of the fruits eaten 

 by the people called Lotophagi. {See Lotus.) 



Datura, the botanical name of a genus of annual or soft- 

 wooded, single -stemmed shrubs or small trees of the l^ight- 

 shade family (Solanacese). The best known in gardens is 

 D. Stramonium, the Thorn Apple, a rude -growing, strong- 

 smelling annual, 2 feet high, with stiff spiny branches and 

 large ovate leaves, the margins of which are irregularly 

 toothed. The flowers are white, large, spreading, trumpet-like, 

 and the fruit a capsule about the size of a walnut, containing 

 numerous seeds. The plant is a native of India, and was first 

 cultivated in gardens in this country, but it has now become 

 w^ild on margins of cultivated ground and rubbish heaps. It is 

 highly narcotic and poisonous, deaths having occurred from 

 eating its leaves in mistake for spinach ; the leaves wdien 

 smoked as tobacco are considered beneficial in asthma. It is 

 supposed that the seeds of D. Stramonium, have the effect of 

 producing delirium, and are said to have been used by the 

 priests of Apollo at Delphi to produce their ravings, which were 

 called prophecies. They are also used by the Thugs or poisoners 

 in India to carry on their nefarious practices, and in this 

 country for drugging. D. fastuosa, D. Metel, and others, all now 

 widely spread throughout warm countries, possess the same 

 properties as stramonium. 



2. D. arhorca, better known as D. suaveoleTis, is an old in- 

 habitant of the gardens of this country, native of Peru, having 

 been introduced about 150 years ago. A thick, soft- wooded, 

 single-stemmed shrub or small tree, not exceeding 20 feet in 

 height. It has large, soft, elliptical leaves, and in cultivation 

 it produces a profusion of large, white, fragrant, bell-shaped 

 flowers, and is a highly ornamental conservatory plant. This 

 and the following species have by modern botanists been 



