Datiscacee
datiscads, an order of diclinous exogens, alliance Cucurbitales.
The species are either branched herbs or trees of some size. Lindley enumerated three genera, and estimated the known species at four. They are scattered over North America, Asia, and the S. E. of Europe. ibe Datureæ.
The calyx DATURA (da-tu'rä), a genus of solanaceæ, tribe and corolla are infundibulate, the latter much the larger of the two, both fivelobed; capsule four-celled. D. stramonium is the thorn apple, better known in this country as the Jamestown weed, the name arising from a poisoning among the Virginian settlers by its use. It is found on dung-hills, in waste places, etc.
When taken internally it is a powerful narcotic; medically it is used in mania, convulsions, epilepsy, ticdoloureux, etc.
When smoked it palliates the symptoms in asthma. D. tatula and metel are similarly used. The seeds of these two latter species are said to have been used to produce the frenzied ravings of the priests in the Delphic and some other temples. The Peruvians use for the and they also manufacture from it an beverage.
D'AUBIGNÉ (dō-ben-yä) THÉO-