388 NATURAL HISTORY. 



odor has a stupefying effect and the leaves a bitter taste. 

 The berries being sweet, are, on that account, particu- 

 larly dangerous to children. The consequences of poison- 

 ing by Belladonna are, anxiety, headache, distressing 

 thirst and fever. It has a peculiar effect on the eyes and 

 throat, the pupils become unnaturally dilated, the latter 

 swells so that swallowing becomes difficult and soon im- 

 possible. Stupor, palsy of the extremities, wandering of 

 mind next ensues, and lastly death. Emetics are proper ; 

 their operations assisted by the application of mustard 

 to the stomach. Cooling, astringent, and mucilaginous 

 drinks are also recommended. 2 . 



The Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa), plate 31, fig. 1. 

 Stem two to four feet high, smooth, finely channeled, 

 jointed and branching above, lower leaves triternate, 

 quinate ; leaflets or segments small and finely toothed ; 

 grows in margins of swampy rivulets. The mature fruit 

 has a strong, anisate odor, resembling that of celery ; 

 taste, however, is very different, being acrid and bitter. 

 Root turnip-like and very poisonous, and the lives of 

 children and others are often endangered and even de- 

 stroyed by eating it in mistake for that of the sweet 

 cicely. Effects much resemble those produced by Conium 

 maculatum, only the poison, more virulent and deadly, 

 consummates its work of death more rapidly. Remedies 

 the same as recommended in the treatment of poison from 

 Conium maculatum. O. The herbage is also said to be 

 destructive to cattle. 



From the short sketch we have given of the vegetable 

 kingdom, our readers may see how many varied and im- 

 portant services are rendered to us by plants. A great 

 many of them afford to man wholesome and abundant 

 food ; others, as has been shown just above, are violent 



