I. THE Names. It is called in Greek, Παοθχοχναλον φ Βαρυοχοηναλον (i.e. a Nut causing Drowsiness:) In Latin, Stramonium, Melospinum, Malum Spinosum, Pomum Spinosum: In English, Thorny Apple, and Thorn Apple. Matthiolus thinks this to be the Nux Methel, of the Arabians.
II. The Kinds. It is twofold,
- 1. That which generally grows with us in England. (Datura stramonium (and other species of Datura). -Henriette.)
- 2. That of Peru. (Datura stramonium (and other species of Datura). -Henriette.)
And of the first Kind there is both single and double, with variety of Colours in the Flowers.
III. The Description. The Root is small and thready, from whence springs up, one great Stalk, four, five, or six feet high, seldom higher and two or three Inches, or more, thick in Diameter, and sometimes four or five Inches thick, upright and straight, having very many Branches, and sometimes but few, upon jointed Stems; on which do grow Leaves, smooth, very broad, and cut in, or jagged about the edges, long and broad almost as a Spinage Leaf; and not much differing from the shape of Goose-foot. The Flowers come forth of long Toothed Cups, great, white, and of the form of a Bell, or like the Flower of the great Bindweed, which spreads it self in Hedges, but altogether greater, and wider at Mouth, and sharp cornered at the brims; of a strong smell, so that it offends the Senses: After the Flowers follows the Fruit, something of the fashion of an Egg, set about on every side and part with sharp Prickles, almost like Thorns, within which Shell is contained very much Seed, of the bigness of a very small Tare, and almost of the same fashion, and of a blackish brown, or black Colour.
IV. The Thorn Apple of Peru has a Root thicker than the former, with some thick Branches, from whence runs several small strings, and out of which springs one pretty thick upright Stalk, about four or ...
Botanologia, or The English Herbal, was written by William Salmon, M.D., in 1710.
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