78 
OESTRUM AURANTIACUM. 
The C. nocturnum possesses a most delicious fragrance during the night, hut m 
berries are nearly as fatal as the last. C. macrophyllum is another species sdi 
violently poisonous, that it would be quite unsafe to rub the juice of the berry ovei 
the skin, lest it should come in contact with any wound, when the effects would be 
serious. 
Of the kinds used in medicine are the C. Parqui, a native of Chili, anc 
introduced many years ago to this country, well known for its very offensive smell 
C. auriculatum, another old inhabitant of our stoves, originally brought from Peru, 
where it is known by the name of Heduinda: this plant emits a delightful 
fragrance by night, hut during daylight is very offensive ; it is highly prized by the 
native Peruvians. C. laurifolium , a native of the West Indies, introduced to this 
country in 1691, is another of these useful medicinal plants. 
Of the kinds used in the Arts, C. tinctorium, a native of the Caraccas, ranks first; 
the juice of its berries yields a rich blue dye, exceedingly durable, and which is also 
used as ink. C. vespertinum is another species yielding a similar dye, but the colour 
is neither so bright nor so durable. 
The origin of the name is unknown. Oestrum was the Greek name for Betony, 
but what this plant was is uncertain. 
