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THE ACONITE AND POPPY ALLIANCE. 

 The Aconite Family. 



(Ranunculace m). 



Herbs, shrubs or climbers. Leaves opposite or alternate, 

 more or less divided, rarely entire, their footstalks sheathing, 

 in some stipulseform. Flowers solitary or generally in pani- 

 culated racemes. Sepals 3 — 6. Petals 3 — 5, or many, equal 

 or unequal ; often with a gland or nectary-formed base. 

 Fruit consisting of one or many follicles (or achenia), rarely 

 pulpy, berry-like. 



About lOGO species compose this family, natives of tem- 

 perate regions of both hemispheres, or in elevated regions 

 within the tropics; they abound in Europe. The whole 

 family are acrid and poisonous, some containing the most 

 virulent of vegetable poisons. 



Aconite, Wolfs-bane, or Monkshood (Aconitum Napellus). 

 A doubtful native of Britain, but, on account of its showy 

 blue flowers, is a favourite in cottage gardens. It is poisonous 

 in the highest degree, many fatal accidents having occurred 

 through eating the leaves for parsley, but more especially 

 from using the roots in place of horse-radish. The chemical 

 alkaloid called Aconitine is obtained from the roots of this 

 plant. 



Aconitum ferox. A native of Nepal ; the Bish or Bikh 

 of the natives. It exceeds the above in virulence, and is 

 considered the most formidable poison in India. Other allied 

 species, natives of the Himalaya, are likewise strong poisons. 

 The Indians use them for poisoning the arrows, with which 

 they shoot tigers, the least wound causing certain and early 

 death. 



Aconitum lycoctonum. A showy yellow-flowered species, 

 native of the North of Europe, especially Lapland, where it 

 grows in abundance. It is also poisonous, and is naturally 

 avoided by all animals. 



