MYSORE AND COOM. 203 



423 Withania somnifera, Dunal. Kan. Hifemaddina. 

 The root and leaves. 



424 Datura stramonium, Linn. E<m. Bill ummatti, 



(white flowered) Kari ummatti, (purple flowered.) 



'E\g,—Bentl. and Trim, t. 192. 

 The thorn apple. 



425 Datura fastuosa, Linn. 

 . Tig,— Wight Ic. t. 1396. 



Common throughout India, and known by the same 

 vernacular names. 



426 Datura Metel, Linn. 

 Fig-Bot. Mag. 1 1440. 



Known by the same vernacular names as the 

 other species. 



Datura poisoning is not uncommon in India, where 

 the dacoits are known to use the ^eed-powder to 

 stupify their victims with a view, to committing 

 robbery. The usual practice in such cases is to 

 insinuate a small quantity of Datura powder into the 

 food ingredients, sweetmeats, or tobacco of fellow 

 travellers, who, for sometime previously, have been 

 •marked as victims. Administered -in this way, 25 

 grains of fine powder is consid&red sufficient to 

 render a f iiU grown man quite insensible for several 

 hours. Unfortunately this poisonous genus seeds 

 but too freely all over the country. The thorn apple, 

 D, stramonium, is a weedy rank-smelling annual, 

 3 — 4 feet with large indented, leaves, and white or 

 purple flowers. It is much at home on heaps of 

 refuse and by the sides of manured fields. Being 

 very self -productive, it would be difficult to eradi- 

 cate even if Grovernment offered a reward for its 

 destruction, as it does in the case of animal pests. 



427 Nicotiana Tabacum, Linn. Kan. Hogesoppu. 

 Tobacco. A large herb cultivated in dry fields, 



but supposed to be indigenous to some part of central 

 or South America. The cured leaves afford tobacco. 



