PLANTS. 381 



Its poison operates like that of hemlock, therefore the 

 same antidotes are proper. 



Pasque Flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris) has a brown, 

 branching, and fibrous root, radiating everywhere ; leaves 

 lateral divisions two-parted, middle one stalked and three- 

 parted; segments deeply- cleft into narrow, linear, and 

 acute lobes ; dark green above, light green and pubescent 

 below. Stem hirsute, bears a violet-colored flower, com- 

 posed of six sepals, bell-shaped and rough on the out- 

 side, developed before the leaves. Akenes of fruit num- 

 erous, densely clothed with soft, silky hairs and provided 

 with long, feathery tails, forming a tassel. Found in 

 Europe on sunny slopes, also on the prairies of Wiscon- 

 sin, etc. Receives its name because it is in bloom at 

 Easter ; is an acrid poison. 



The Agarick (Polyporus laricis) has a cork-like, 

 fleshy, smooth cap or hood with yellow and brown circles. 

 Smells like newly-ground flour, and has a bitter taste. 

 A drug used in physic and for dyeing. It is both male 

 and female ; the male grows on oaks, the female on 

 larches. Is poisonous, but not deadly, although its 

 operation is drastic and most distressing and alarming. 

 Remedies the same : mucilaginous and demulcent drinks. 



The Deadly Nightshade (Solanum nigrum). Native 

 of Europe, where it grows abundantly ; a somewhat 

 shrubby and climbing plant ; leaves ovate, wavy-toothed ; 

 flowers very small, purple, in umbel-like lateral clusters ; 

 berries globular and black. Grows on moist banks, rub- 

 bish-heaps, and in gardens. Its poison creates severe 

 colics and deafness. Raw eggs, milk, etc., and, in some 

 cases, bloodletting, are the usual remedies. O. 



Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger). Radical leaves 

 of this plant are lanceolate, from seven to nine-cleft, 



