The Mandrake. 171 



oi them in Europe; but the most common form is that of bags 

 for storing the hops themselves, for putting them away or carry- 

 ing them to market. From two to five grains of the lupuline is 

 generally given as a dose, twice a day. 



The Mandrake. 



This is a deciduous herbaceous plant, perennial in its duration, 

 and bearing a white flower in May. Its leaves are white, large, 

 broad, and smooth, like the leaves of the beech tree. It is in the 

 natural order Solanacese, and belongs to the class Pentandria, 

 order Monogynia. The .name is probably derived from the Ger- 

 man mandragem, resembling a man. A great many foolish 

 stories are still circulated and believed respecting this renowned 

 plant, and by request we will give its history, which we take 

 from Phillips, an English writer, and whose description is con- 

 sequently suited to that, country : This plant, which has been 

 rendered celebrated by absurdity, is indigenous to classic ground ; 

 and on this account, as well as the wonderful tales that have been 

 handed down to us from antiquity, it naturally excites some de- 

 gree of interest in the inquisitive mind. In symbolical language, 

 the Mandrake is made the emblem of anything rare or extraor- 

 dinary ; and from the earliest ages appears to have excited great 

 veneration among the inhabitants of eastern countries, on ac- 

 count of its supposed extraordinary properties and of its rarity. 

 It is generally believed to be the same plant which the ancient 

 Hebrews called Dudaim. That these people held it in the highest 

 esteem in the days of Jacob, is evident from the notice of its 

 having been found by Reuben, who carried the plant to his 

 mother ; and the inducement which tempted Leah to part with 

 it, proves the value they set upon this celebrated plant. As we 

 have no authority for believing the Hebrews used the Mandrake 

 for superstitious purposes, it is most probable that they were ac- 

 quainted with its anodyne and soporific qualities ; and perhaps 

 it was the only opiate known in that age, which alone would 

 render it an invaluable root to persons who could receive no medi- 

 cal assistance except what their own household afforded. It was 



