232 ON ANIMAL AND 



may be considered in all instances a very active 

 poison. Santieul, a celebrated latin author, who 

 was born at Paris, in the year 1650, according to 

 Dr. Orfila, was killed by an inconsiderate person 

 emptying the contents of a snuff box into his wine; 

 which as soon as he had swallowed, threw 

 him into a great agony, and put a period to his 

 life in four hours. Many other instances might 

 be adduced, of accidents occasioned by the in- 

 discreet use of tobacco in its simple state, or 

 when prepared into snuff; though both, from 

 the force of habit, are daily consumed in very 

 extraordinary proportions and apparently with 

 impunity; but how far without ultimate injury 

 to the constitution, is a matter which experience 

 alone can decide. 



The Digitalis Purpurea or Fox Glove, is well 

 known by its beautiful flowers, which adorn our 

 banks and hedges ; and the plant lately, under 

 an improved cultivation, has been introduced 

 into our gardens. Its external character indeed 

 is now so familiarly understood, that a particular 

 description seems hardly necessary. Its leaves, 

 which are the most active part of the plant, 

 though the whole is poisonous, are large, oblong, 

 egg-shaped, covered with hair, and serrated; 

 they have a bitter, very nauseous taste, with 

 some acrimony. Its flowers, which are somewhat 

 bell-shaped, are of a purple colour, and mottled 

 within; being generally attached to one side of 



