Crossword Clue:

an alkaloid yielded by the gelsemium rhizome and rootlets

AnswerCrossword Clue
ELLShape formed by an extended thumb and index fingers
RIALCurrency whose name can become its country's name by changing its last letter to an N and scrambling
AMANCALLEDHORSEFilm about an aristocrat captured by the Sioux
AZTECMember of an empire ruled by the Mexica
GONOWFirst hit by the Moody Blues (whose title ends with an exclamation point)
SANTEERiver formed by the Congaree and Wateree
GUSTAVName shared by the composers Holst and Mahler
SKAMusic pioneered by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires
MONACOTiny nation surrounded by France and the Mediterranean
TEARSONMYPILLOW1958 hit by Little Anthony and the Imperials
WESERRiver formed by the junction of the Fulda and Werra
SADIETitle woman in songs by the Beatles and the Spinners
LUXLatin word shared by the mottoes of Yale and Tufts
ANCHORAGEPeriod dominated by the likes of Dan Rather and Peter Jennings?
ANGELFigure made by lying in the snow and waving one's arms
DOYOUWANTTODANCE1958 Bobby Freeman hit covered by the Beach Boys and the Ramones
HELLClassic AC/DC song represented by the falling circled letters and this answer
HEAVENClassic Led Zeppelin song represented by the ascending circled letters and this answer
EMUIt's classified by the U.S.D.A. as red meat under cooking guidelines and as poultry under inspection standards
DOVERCapital suggested by the circled letters and by the starts of 17- and 63-Across and 11- and 29-Down