VEGETABLE POISONS. 227 



a strong, disagreeable, and narcotic odour; but 

 scarcely making any impression on the tongue. 

 It grows in waste grounds, on the sides of roads, 

 and particularly in calcareous soils. The seeds, 

 leaves, and root of this plant, as well as of all 

 the other species of this genus, are poisonous; 

 producing, in some instances, delirium, convul- 

 sions, and death in a few hours after they have 

 been taken ; and as the root has sometimes been 

 mistaken for parsnips, and used for soup, too 

 much care cannot be observed in guarding against 

 such accidents. So active is this poison, that 

 even a plaster prepared from it has occasioned a 

 trembling of the limbs, and intoxicating symp- 

 toms ; and yet the hog takes it occasionally, with- 

 out any bad effect. 



The Datura Stramonium, or Thorn Apple, 

 which lately has been brought into public notice 

 from its affording relief in asthma, and in some 

 other pulmonary affections, (though originally from 

 America,) is now indeginous to this country ; and 

 is a plant, or rather weed, very commonly found 

 on the refuse of gardens, and even on the banks 

 of our hedges. It is an annual, sending np a 

 thick, round, branching stalk, from two to three 

 feet in height, with large irregularly ovate leaves, 

 pointed at the extremity, of a dark green colour. 

 Its flowers are white, of a full size, and appear 

 in July and August. In its recent state, it has a 

 bitterish taste ; and when rubbed between the 

 fingers, a smell somewhat resembling that of the 



