/ THE NIGHTSHADE FAMILY. 805 



roots to the human figure. This idea of its virtues has pre- 

 vailed since Reuben " found mandrakes in the field,"* but it 

 is doubtful whether that was the same plant as the present. 

 A few years ago two children were poisoned, it is said, by- 

 eating mandrake roots, which they found in a field. But 

 whatever was the cause of death, it could not be from the 

 effects of Mandragora officinarum^ as it is not a native of this 

 country. 



Stramonium' or Thorn Apple [Datura stramonium). A 

 rude growing annual plant, having stiff spreading branches, 

 attaining the height of 2 or 3 feet, and flourishing in 

 rubbish heaps and waste ground. It has large oval leaves, 

 entire or lobed, which are used for smoking as a remedy for 

 asthma. It contains an alkali which is used medicinally, 

 and a large prickly capsule that is prized for skeletonizing. 

 Other species, such as D. fastuosa and D. Metel^ natives of 

 India, also grow freely in this country and possess the 

 same properties as Stramonium. It is supposed that the 

 seeds of D. Stramonium have the effect of producing deli- 

 rium, and are said to have been used by the priests of 

 Apollo at Delphi to produce their ravings, which were 

 called prophecies. They are also used by the Thugs or 

 poisoners in India to carry on their nefarious practices, and 

 in this country for drugging. 



Datura sanguinea is a soft-wooded shrub or small tree, 

 having large orange-coloured tubular flowers which are very 

 ornamental in the hothouses of this country. It is a native 

 of Peru and parts of Central America. The Indians prepare 

 a drink from the fruit (which is like the thorn apple) called 

 Tonga, and by drinking it believe they are brought into 

 communication with the spirits of their forefathers. In 

 Darien a decoction of the seeds is given to children, which 

 produces a state of excitement, and is supposed to give them 

 the power of discovering gold ; the effects bring on exhaus- 

 tion, and wherever they fall, digging for gold commences. 



* Genesis, chap. xxx. ver. 14 

 X 



