AT'ROPA BELLADONNA. 
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
SOLANEiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Inhabits 
Britain. 
5 feet. 
June, July. 
Perennial. 
Hedges.' 
No. 105. 
The malignant qualities of this plant obtained for 
it the appellation of Atropa, from Atropos, the third 
fate. The first of the three fates, Clotho, is said to 
draw out the thread of life; Lachesis turns the 
wheel; and Atropos, when the thread is spun, cuts it 
in twain. The title Belladonna, which is still re- 
tained in the Pharmacopoeias, signifies, in the Italian, 
a handsome lady ; and the plant is so called from its 
use as a cosmetic. 
Our present subject is not one that we expect our 
readers will be desirous of cultivating. We present 
it, indeed, under the impression of an opposite opi- 
nion, that they will be careful to avoid it. Any in- 
formation connected with plants that are dangerous 
and to be feared, we have thought possessing an im- 
portance which may qualify their appearing in a 
work where utility is not disregarded. 
Every part of the Atropa belladonna, or Deadly 
Nightshade, has proved a malignant poison. Some 
one or other of our senses is in general, most provi- 
dentially for us, made the herald of approaching 
danger; but with the poisonous fruit of this plant it 
is not so. The berries bear an attractive appearance, 
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