134 
FLORA OF FORFARSHIRE. 
ladies use a decoction of it as a wash in cutaneous eruptions, 
and couple this fact with that of its deadly poisonous effects, 
our perplexity is removed. The poisonous principle in alka- 
line, and an extract used in medicine, procured from the 
plant, is named Atropia. Dr Brande iustituted a series of 
experiments on it, but was obliged to discontinue them in 
consequence of their effects on his health. “ He once tasted 
a small quantity of sulphate of Atropia, The taste was not 
bitter, merely saline ; but there soon followed violent head- 
ache, shaking in the limbs, alternate sensations of heat and 
cold, oppression of the chest and difficulty of breathing, and 
diminished circulation of the blood.” 
It is related by Buchannan the Scottish historian, that the 
greater part of the invading army of Sweno the Dane were 
at one time cut off by the influence of this plant ; the drink 
supplied to the Danish soldiers being mixed with the juice 
of its berries, and thus rendering them incapable of accom- 
plishing the ruthless designs of their leader. 
Ord. LX.— SCROPHULARINE^E. 
Gen. Br. 13. F. 11. Sp. and v. Br . 67. F. 31. 
Veronica, L. Speedwell. 
Br. sp. and v. 25. F. 15. 
V. serpyllifolia, L. Thyme-leaved Speedwell. H. 235, 
B. 224. — F. May, July. P. 
Waysides and pastures, common. 
/3. alpina , Hook. (V. serpyllifolia /3. humifusa , Sm. V. 
humifusa, Dicks.) 
Sides of streams and in marshy places among the moun- 
tains, frequent. 
V. alpina , L. Alpine Speedwell. H. 235, B. 224. — 
F. July, August. P. 
Sides of streams and wet stony places, frequent in Glen 
Dole and Canlochen. 
Glen Phee, and Maskeldie Craigs at the head of Loch 
Lee, Prof. Balfour. Turns more or less black in drying. 
