ACONITE. 3 



but the most probable derivation is from Acone, a town of 

 Bitliynfa, near the shores of the Euxine Sea, which was famous 

 for poisonous herbs, and especially the Aconite. The vernacular 

 name, Monk's-hood, originated from the resemblance between 

 the upper leaflet of the blossom and the hood or cowl of a monk ; 

 and that of Wolf's-bane, from the deadly effects of the plant upon 

 the wolf; perhaps from a tradition, mentioned by an old writer, 

 that wolves in a time of scarcity have torn up the roots and 

 eaten them as food, and have soon after been found dead. 



The poets fabled that the Aconite sprang from the foam 

 of the monster Cerberus, when dragged to light by Hercules, 

 and it is mentioned by Ovid as the principal ingredient in the 

 poisonous draught prepared by Medea for the destruction of 

 Theseus*. 



Qualities. — The ancients appear to have considered this 

 plant as the most virulent of all poisons, and, indeed, there are 

 few spontaneous productions of nature that surpass it in venom. 

 Its beauty has obtained for it a place in our gardens, and its in- 

 odorous flowers and vivid colours f tend to mask its baneful 

 qualities. A poet's fancy might trace something of its character 

 in the fact that it loves the shade, and from the suspicious 

 manner in which its petals hide themselves from the bright orb 

 of day ; but there is nothing to apprize the unwary of their 

 danger. 



It is so rank a poison, that many of the old writers employed 

 the term Aconite as synonymous witli all that is deadly in the 

 vegetable world. Thus, in Shakspeare — 



" Thou shalt proue a shelter to thy friends, 

 A hoope of gold to binde thy brothers in : 

 That the vnited vessell of their blood, 

 Shall neuer leake, though it doe worke as strong 

 As Aconitum, or rash gun powder." 



2 H. IV., Act IV., Scene 4. 



Every part of the plant is poisonous, especially the root and 

 leaves ; but as the latter have most frequently given rise to acci- 

 dents, we shall relate some instances of their effects. When eaten, 



* Vide Ovidii Met. lib. vii. 



•f- Linnaeus imagined that the lurid colour of some plants indicated their 

 noxious properties : hence he has denominated one of his natural orders 

 luri(l<B. 



r 



B 2 



