The Deadly Nightshade 



Perhaps it is to meet the necessities of the case 

 that neighbouring flowers are so different in age. 



Then the fruit forms, the calyx surrounding it 

 like a halo, though the other parts of the flower have 

 vanished. It has a curious habit of retiring behind 

 the leaves at this stage, and remaining out of sight 

 there while it matures. It grows juicy, dark, and 

 cherry-Hke, and it is now that it is so alluring to 

 children. One of the children's names for the plant 

 is " Naughty Man's Cherry," which suggests a 

 warning mother. Another name due to this aspect 

 is " Great Morel." If the berry be cut through, a 

 number of small seeds will be seen carefully arranged 

 in the pulp round two oval cushions. Poisoning by 

 eating these berries causes thirst, delirium, loss of 

 consciousness, and finally death, unless remedies are 

 applied. The best treatment in such a case is to 

 give an emetic, a dose of magnesia, and then some 

 hot coffee, and keep the patient warm. 



The poison principle runs throughout the plant. 

 Grazing animals leave it severely alone, but small 



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