ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 
19 
Gen. Char. Calyx 0. Petals 5, the highest arched. JVec- 
taries 2, peduncled, recurved. Siliqms 3 or 4. 
Spec. Char. Divisions of the leaves linear, broader above, 
scored with a line. Capsules 3. 
The aconite is a perennial plant indigenous to the Alps and the 
mountainous countries of Germany, Austria, and Tartary, now very 
generally cultivated in our gardens for ornament and medicinal pur- 
poses; * it requires a cool shady and moist situation ; the wild plant 
is said to be the most active ; by cultivation and luxuriant growth in 
a rich soil, the medicinal properties become impaired, f 'Phe Aco- 
nitum Napellus rises to the height of two or more feet ; the root is 
turnip-shaped or fusiform; the stalk is erect, straight, firm and leafy, 
terminating in a spike of flowers ; the leaves are palmated and many 
cleft, on the upper side of a dark green, the under side whitish, and 
stand upon large foot-stalks ) the upper leaves are almost sessile ; 
the flowers stand singly on the peduncle, and are composed of five 
purple coloured petals, which enclose two nectaries ; the uppermost 
petal is arched over the two lateral ones, so as to appear helmet- 
shaped or hooded ; the pistilla are from three to five ; the stamina 
numerous, crowned with simple roundish antherze. 
Qualities and Properties. The fresh leaves of the aconite 
have very little smell, but a very acrid taste when chewed ; the leaves 
by drying lose much of their acrimony, and with it, oftentimes much 
of their virtues. Every part of the fresh plant is strongly poi- 
sonous, J but the root is unquestionably the most powerful, and 
when chewed, at first imparts a slight sensation of acrimony, but 
afterwards, lancinating pains, and swelling of the tongue, accom- 
panied with an insensibility of its apex, and a pungent heat of the 
lips, mouth and throat ; these symptoms are followed with general 
• Nineteen species of the Genus Aconitura, are known and cultivated in our botanic 
gardens. The Aconitura Napellus was first cultivated in Britain in the year 1596. 
Hort. Cant. 
+ Ray Hist. Plant, p. 702. 
X The Aconitura was considered by the ancients to be the most destructive of vegeta- 
ble productions, as appears from their fanciful derivation of its origin. " Ut ab Hecate 
" inventum aut ex Cerberi spuma enatum pronunciarent," 
The Aconitura Napellus and several other species of aconite have been frequently 
eaten by mistake for other plants, and produced fatal eflects. Vide Bacon, Philos. 
Irans. vol. xx^\ni.p. 284. Boedeii. Stirp. Pempt. I. iv. p. 442. 
A recent case of a family having been poisoned by monkshood is related in No. 167, 
(for Nov. 1827), of the London Medical Repository, to which we refer our readers. 
