274 DATURA. 



CLASS V. ORDER I. 



four valved and four celled, two of wliich are generally only divided 

 half way by their disseppiraents, hence though four celled in the lower 

 part, it is only two in the upper. Seeds numerous, flattish, kidney 

 shape, and dotted. 



Habitat. — Waste ground, especially in the vicinity of gardens. 



Annual; flowering in July. 



This is a naturalised plant, now found in almost all parts of England, 

 and was probably introduced from America, and ought not to be 

 admitted into the British Flora ; but since it is so commonly found, 

 and a plant 'of importance to be known, we have given it a place 

 here. 



The whole plant is narcotic and stimulent, with a foetid unpleasant 

 odour, frequently in a very short time producing head-ache in some 

 people, and has a bitter nauseous taste. The narcotic principle svhich 

 it contains, according to the analysis of M. Brandes, resides in a 

 peculiar alkaline salt, which he has named Daturine. The effects 

 which the plant of this genus have upon the system are variously stated 

 by authors, and many strange tales have been told of the use made of 

 it by the savages of the Asiatic Islands, and people of more civilised 

 nations, previous to the committal of various atrocious crimes. 



D, Stramonium is called by the Americans the Devil's Apple, or the 

 Jamestown weed, from the circumstance of its being there found so 

 extremely abundant, and producing upon the new settlers, when eaten, 

 such extraordinary effects. Beverly's account of it, in his History 

 of Virginia, is somewhat amusing. He says, " the Jamestown weed, 

 which resembles the thorn apple of Peru, is supposed to be one of the 

 greatest coolers in the world. This being an early plant, was gathered 

 very young for a boiled salad by some of the soldiers sent thither to 

 quell the rebellion of Bacon, and some of them ate plentifully of it, the 

 effect of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural 

 fools upon it for several days. One would blow up a feather into the 

 air ; another would dart straws at it with much fury ; another (stark 

 naked) was seen setting up in a corner like a monkey, grinding and 

 making moullis; a fourth would fondly kiss and paw his companions, 

 and sneer in their faces, with a countenance more antic than any in a 

 Dutch droll. In this frantic condition they were confined, lest in their 

 folly they should destroy themselves. A thousand simple tricks they 

 played, but after eleven days returned to themselves again, not remem- 

 bering any thing that had passed." 



Numerous cases are on record of the narcotic properties of stramonixim, 

 and it is even said to be used by the Turks instead of opium, and that 

 the Chines infuse the seeds in beer. It has been recommended in cases 

 of mania and epilepsy, but its beneficial effects are very doubtful, from 

 the reported trials that have been made with it. Dr. Barton, of 

 America, regards it as a remedy of great efRcacy, and has reported 



