All parts of Monk's-hood and Wolf's-bane are extremely poisonous; the root of Monk's-hood has often been mistaken for that of Horse-radish, of which an example is therefore given, to show that it is impossible for this mistake to be made, if the least attention be paid to the leaves, as they are totally dissimilar. * BRYONY (Bryonia dioica). The whole of this plant is poisonous, and, as the berries are red and tempting, it is dangerous to trust children with them. The root is large and succulent, and is known by the name of Mandrake; it is very purgative and acrid. [Illustration: Bryony.] * GREEN HELLEBORE (Heleborus viridus). * STINKING HELLEBORE (Heleborus foetidus). [Illustration: Green Hellebore.] [Illustration: Stinking Hellebore.] Both poisonous in every part of the plants. * MEZERIUM (Daphne mezerium). The bark of this plant is acrid and poisonous, producing a burning sensation in the throat if chewed, and blistering the skin if applied, for which purpose it was often formerly used medicinally. [Illustration: Mezerium.] * MEADOW SAFFRON (Colchicum autumnale). The corm (root) and seeds of this plant are poisonous. Meadow Saffron is also called Colchicum, it is much used in medicine, and although a good and useful one in small doses for gouty affections, yet in over-doses it produces violent purging and vomiting. [Illustration: Meadow Saffron.] FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea). This plant is very poisonous and dangerous, the leaves are the most active part. It is frequently used medicinally, but requires great care, as it lowers the action of the heart, the effect of many small doses accumulating and at last acting like one large one. [Illustration: Foxglove.] * STAVES-ACRE (Delphinium Staphisagria). The Ranunculaceæ are, most of them, poisonous, and this order includes the Larkspurs, of which the Staves-Acre is a species. The seeds are to a certain extent poisonous, and when ground into meal and mixed with flour have been often used by farmers to destroy vermin of various kinds, such as rats, mice, beetles, &c. [Illustration: Staves-Acre.] DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (Atropa Belladonna). The Deadly Nightshade is also called Belladonna. Both leaves and berries are a deadly poison. The berries have been mistaken for black currants by children, as they much resemble them. There are several species, of which the Solanum nigrum, or Common Nightshade, very much resembles the "Deadly." [Illustration: Deadly Nightshade.] WOODY NIGHTSHADE (Solanum Dulcamara). This plant, also called Bitter-sweet, from its taste, produces the bright red berries so often seen in hedges, and which from their pretty appearance frequently tempt children to eat them. They are poisonous, but not so much so as the twigs of the plant, which are very acrid and narcotic. [Illustration: Woody Nightshade.] HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum).