in botany, a genus of the pentandria monogyne clasps. The corolla is shaped like a bell; the stamens are distant; the berry is globular, and consists of two cells or apartments. The species are five; viz. 1. The mandragora, or mandrake, a native of Spain and the East. The mandrake is divided into male and female. The male mandrake has a very large, long, and thick root; it is largest at the top or head, and from thence gradually grows smaller. Sometimes it is single and undivided to the bottom; but more frequently it is divided into two, sometimes into three, or more parts. From this root there arise a number of very long leaves, broadest in the middle, narrow towards the base, and obtusely pointed at the end; they are of a foot or more in length, and five inches or thereabouts in breadth; they are of a dusky and disagreeable green colour, and of a very foetid smell. The female mandrake perfectly resembles the other in its manner of growth: but the leaves are longer and narrower, and of a darker colour, as are also the seeds and roots. Authors have spoken very largely and idly of the virtues of this plant. The most common quality attributed to it, is that of rendering barren women fruitful: but we have no tolerable foundation for this; what we certainly know of it is, that it has a soporific virtue like that of opium; and the bark in small doses, Herman assures us, has often been known to do great service in hysterical complaints; but it should be used sparingly, otherwise it will often bring on convulsions, and many other mischievous symptoms. The ancients used it when they wanted a narcotic of the most powerful kind. 2. The balladona, or deadly night-shade, a native of Britain: the berries are poisonous. 3. The physalodes, a native of Peru. 4. The frutescens, a native of Spain; and, 5. The arborescens, a native of America.