AETHOPHY'LLUM, a fossil genre; of plants from the limper Sandstone. (Brongniart.) tETHU'SA is a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Umbelliferer, which includes among its species ono of tho mold. poisonous plants known in Europe.
zEthusa Cynapiam is a little annual plant, found commonly in gar dens and fields, resembling the common parsley so much that it had therefore of little value. There are no very old specimens in this country, the species having been introduced, as it is said, only In 1683.
A second species, the :I.:sodas Ohiotensis, is found wild in North America, on the banks of the Ohio, between Pittsburg and 3litrietta. In stature It varies from 10 to 35 feet ; and differs from the acquired the vulgar name of Fool's Parley. From a taper whitish root arises an erect branchy stem, about a foot high, generally stained with purple near the ground. This is covered by finely-cut shining leaves of a deep green, much resembling those of (larder) Parek•y, from which they are known thus : in the true Parsley, the loaves are twice pinnate(' or divided, and the leaflets are broad, and cut into three wedge-shaped toothed lobes; in the Fool's Parsley, on the other hand, the loaves are thrice pimmted, and the leaflets are nairow.
sharper, and jagged; besides which, the leaves of Fool's Parsley have a disagreeable nauseous Innen, instead of the fine aromatic odour of Common Parsley. When in flower, ,Ethusa has its principal umbels destitute of involuera, while the partial umbels are furnished with an involucrum, consisting of four or five narrow sharp leaver, hanging down from one aide only of the common stalk ; this last circumstance will distinguish it when in flower, not only from parley, but from all other Brithsh umbelliferons plants.
31any dangerous accidents have occurred from mistaking this plant for parsley. The symptoms attendant upon poisoning by -lithium are, swimming of the head, nausea, cold perspiration, and chilliness at the extremities. To counteract its effects, emetics are recommended, and tho immediate use of weak vegetable acids, such as lemon-juice, vinegar, or sour wine. a