The etymology of the word _Dudaim_ would seem to describe it. It is derived from the word [Hebrew], (_Dadim_) breasts, or [Hebrew], (_Dodim_) friends, neighbours, twins; which indicates that this plant is formed of two similar parts. It is thought that the _Dudaim_ might be the highly-scented melon which is cultivated in the East, especially in Persia, and known by the name of _Destenbuje_, or the _Cucumis Dudaim_ of Linnaeus, and which is also found in Italy, where its powerful aroma is imparted to garments and chambers. It must have been an odoriferous production, since in the _Talmud_ we find it denominated _Siglin_, which has been considered the jessamine or the lily. The orchis is remarkable for its double bulbous roots and its agreeable perfume; we may therefore justify the idea that the _Dudaim_ of the Jews was a species of this plant. Frontinus informs us that Hannibal employed mandragore in one of his warlike stratagems, when he feigned a retreat, and left in the possession of the barbarians a quantity of wine in which this plant had been infused. Intoxicated by the potent beverage, they were unable to withstand his second attack, and were easily put to the sword. Was it the mandragore that saved the Scotch in a similar _ruse de guerre_ with the Danish invaders of Sweno? It is supposed to have been the _Belladonna_, or deadly nightshade, the effects of which are not dissimilar to those of the plant in question. In the north of Europe, this substance is still used for medicinal purposes; and Boerhaave, Hoffberg, and Swediaur have strongly recommended it in glandular swellings, arthritic pains, and various diseases where a profuse perspiration may be desirable. Machiavel has made the fabulous powers of the mandragore the subject of a comedy, and Lafontaine has employed it as an agent in one of his tales.