PREFACE. xi 



clofe the fcene in the fhort period of 

 one hour or two. 



The danger of thefe poifons is 

 very great. They do not ofFendpBe 

 palate, and therefore may pafs unfuf- 

 pe6led into the ftomach : when there, 

 they ufually occafion no ficknefs, and 

 therefore are not Hkely to be dif- 

 charged without the affiftance of art : 

 and they produce their effects fo 

 haftily, that they fcarcely permit any 

 opportunity for that afTiftancc to be 

 given. 



There are only three plants of 

 this nature known in Great- Britain, 

 two of which are natives of our iiland. 

 They are the oenanthe crocata, cicuta 

 aquatica, and lauro-cerafus. The 

 laft is moft fatal, and requires a che- 

 mical preparation. Its poilon may 



therefore 



