Vegetable Poisons. Wolf's Bane, Deadly Nightshade, Bitter Sweet c1855.

by Johnstone, John

Aconitum Napellus, Atropa Belladona, Solanum Dulcamara, Datura Stramonium. Antique print of Common Wolf's Bane or Monk's Hood, Deadly Nighshade or Dwale, Woody Nightshade or Bitter Sweet, Common Thorn Apple... all beautiful but deadly!

Original hand-coloured steel engraving c1855 by John Johnstone for A History of the Vegetable Kingdom, embracing the physiology of plants, with their uses to man and the lower animals, and their application in the arts, manufactures and domestic economy. by William Rhind, lecturer on Botany, Marischal College, Aberdeen. Published in London by Blackie & Son of Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

William Rhind (1797-1874) began studying the herbal uses of botany during his medical course in Aberdeen. He pursued his interest in botany beyond his apprenticeship to an Elgin physician, during further studies in London, while he practised medicine and sold medicinal remedies in Elgin, and in Edinburgh where there was better opportunity to research and write about the other economic uses of plants.

This is a wonderful group of small original engravings with contemporary hand-colour - interesting for more than their decorative appeal. 

250 x 165mm (9.7/8 x 6.1/2 inches). There is faint age discolouration and slight damage along edges with tiny conservation-repaired tear at mid right extremity.