666 POLYANDRIA. PENTAGYNIA. Aquilegia 
course of the same autumn the Editor, directed by the the above-named 
gentleman, had the satisfaction to behold this stately plant growing 
(together with Hypericum Androscemum) in some profusion on the margin 
of a limpid stream between two and three hundred yards below Ogwell 
mill, in a small meadow, with a foot-path leading down the opposite side 
of the stream; a spot not less remarkable for its lovely sylvan scenery, 
in the midst of Bradley woods, near Newton, than attractive to the anti¬ 
quarian from its proximity to the ancient seat of the Yarde family. E.)* 
AQUILE'GIA.f Calyx none: Petals five: Nectaries five, 
horn-shaped, alternating with the petals: Caps, five, 
distinct. 
A. vulga'ris. Nectaries incurved, nearly as long as the petals: 
leafits all on leaf-stalks, lobes distant, roundish, bluntish: (cap¬ 
sules hairy. E.) 
Kniph. 5—Ludw. 181—E. Bot. 297— FI. Dan. 695—Mill. I/l.—Dod. 181. 1 
— Lob. Obs. 440. 2, and Ic. i. 761. 1— Ger. Em. 1093.1— H. Ox. xii. 1. row 
* (Not unfrequently met with in rustic gardens, with white, rose-coloured, and varie¬ 
gated flowers: nor can our Island longer claim entire exemption from it as a native; 
notwithstanding Dryden recounts among our blessings, that 
ss Our land is from the rage of tigers freed. 
Nor nourishes the lion’s angry seed, 
Nor poisonous Aconite is here produced, 
Or grows unknown ; or is, when known, refus’d.” 
And with equal reference to the malign influence of the Monk’s-hood, thus are depicted 
the stepdames in the iron age of Ovid, 
“ Lurida terribiles miscent Aconitx novercae.” 
That this herb is one of the most powerful of vegetable poisons cannot be doubted. 
“ The force and facultie of Wool fe’s-bane is deadly, both to man and all kinds of beasts;” 
says Gerard, who records several instances of its fatal effects; but it appears that various 
plants of somewhat similar names have been confounded by ancient writers, and are scarcely 
to be discriminated by the moderns. For a well-authenticated case of the deleterious 
virulence of this species, vid. Phil. Tr. vol. 33. an. 1732. Nevertheless, as frequently 
happens when rightly understood, qualities the most baneful may be converted into 
blessings, and in the present instance Dr. Storch, a German physician, advocates the 
medicinal virtues even of the Aconite. Dr. Lempriere (Lectures p. 234), declares it to 
possess a caustic suffocating quality, by which swallowing is immediately affected and the 
stomach corroded. The roots are particularly virulent. The juice was formerly used by 
savage nations for the purpose of poisoning arrows. Another writer states that the 
flowers sometimes communicate, in a degree, their noxious quality even by being smelled 
to ; and that wearing them on the head may occasion “ a violent megrim.” Of the bad 
qualities of these plants we sometimes avail ourselves to ged rid of vermin. The juice is 
also used to poison flesh with, for the destruction of wolves, foxes, and other ravenous 
beasts. It is remarkable that the blue-flowered kinds are much more virulent than those 
with yellow or white flowers. Physiologists suppose the pernicious effects to be produced 
by irritating the nervous coats of the stomach and intestines, so as to occasion violent 
convulsions through the whole body. To relieve the stomach of its noxious contents an 
infusion of tobacco, followed by oily and mucilaginous medicines have been recommended. 
Monkshood should not be planted where children have access, lest they should put (he 
leaves or flowers in their mouths, or rub them about their eyes ; for a great disorder may 
be thus occasioned ; and the farina of the flowers blown into the eyes will cause dangerous 
inflammation. E.) 
■j* (From aquila, an eagle ; and lego to gather or collect; the nectaries resembling an 
eagle’s claws : as probably the English name may be derived from a fancied resemblance of 
the same parts to a dove’s claw, or head and neck, as some imagine. E.) 
