DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS, 187 
DATURA.—THorn ApPte. 
{Name said to be from the Arabic.] 
Datéra Straménium.—Thorn apple, so called in allusion 
to the capsule, which is as large as a small hen’s egg; 
ovate, and thickly covered with thorns. The poisonous 
qualities of this plant, as well as its application in medi- 
cine, are well known. As a remedy in asthma, it has ac- 
quired great reputation. In some parts of the country it 
is known by the name of Jamestown or Jimson weed. I 
have heard of a case where a child was poisoned in con- 
sequence of eating one seed. Professor Martyn observes, 
that in the earth brought with plants from any part of 
America, we are sure to have the Thorn-apple come up. 
The whole plant has a disagreeable smell. Every part of 
the plant is poisonous, bringing on delirium tremens, etc. 
The flowers are funnel shaped, with a long tube, five an- 
gled; either light purple or white. I describe it here as 
a warning to beware of the plant, and not for its beauty, 
as it isa disgusting weed growing abundantly in rubbish. 
Some of the genus are beautiful and worthy a place in the 
flower-garden; but all are poisonous. This species has 
very large handsome flowers, pure white. 
D. quercifélia, is one of the finest —It has very large 
white flowers, measuring five inches across the mouth; 
the nerves of a fine pink, shaded with purple. The fruit 
contained in a smooth capsule, and the leaf is somewhat 
like the oak ( Quereus,) whence its name. The manner of 
growth is very elegant; and as each succeeding blofsom 
burst through its fine calyx, we have thought it more 
beautiful than its predecessor. We can truly recommend 
this as an ornament to the garden. 
D. ceratocatilon, or Horn-stalked Datura.—This is a 
highly ornamental and showy species, with large white 
flowers, shaded: with pink, full as large as the last. 
