414 CONIUM MACULATUM. 
tions, but was resorted to by those who sought to 
encounter suicide in its least formidable shape. 
Among other instances, that of the Cean old men 
is related by Ailian, who when they had become 
useless to the state, and tired of the infirmities of 
life; invited each other to a banquet, and having 
crowned themselves as in celebration of a joyous 
festival ; drank the Conium, and terminated their 
existence together. 
The description which has been left by Di- 
oscorides of the Conium, only shews it to have 
been an umbellate plant, his character of which 
might apply to many species. The mention 
made of it by Latin writers under the name of 
Cicuta are not more satisfactory. Linnzeus, in- 
fluenced by the noxious character of the modern 
officinal Hemlock, has appropriated to that plant 
the name of the Grecian species, and most subse- 
quent botanists have followed. his example. Hal- 
ler, however, is of opinion that the ancient poison 
Was not procured from this plant, but from the 
Cicuta virosa L. a poisonous aquatic, much: more 
powerful and violent in its operation than the - 
common Hemlock. Lamarck adopts the opin- 
ion of Linnzeus, and believes that the Conium ma- 
culatum was really the Grecian poison, and that. 
its properties were rendered more active by the 
