HEMLOCK. 



(Spotted Hemlock.) 



UMBELLIFERvE. Conium Maealatum. 



the word &quot;hemlock&quot; occurs only in Hosea x. 4 

 and Amos vi. 12, the Hebrew word of which &quot; hemlock&quot; 

 is the translation is rendered &quot;gall&quot; in various pass- 

 a-es. but seems to refer to the hemlock or its extract. 



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Hosea says that hemlock &quot;springeth up in the furrows 

 of the field.&quot; The plant is somewhat similar in appearance to 

 the anetlmm, the coriander, or the anise, and is of the same 

 natural order of umbelliferous plants. But these are whole 

 some and pleasant plants, while the hemlock is poisonous. 

 Hence the fitness of the simile of Hosea, who likens the act 

 of swearing falsely in making a covenant, to the hemlock, 

 springing up in the furrow, imitating in appearance the anise 

 or other pleasant plants, and yet proving to be the poisonous 

 hemlock when gathered. 



There was evidently a bitterness in the hemlock-juice, 

 which, however, was used among the Jews to lessen the pain 

 accompanying the violent death of criminals. To those who 

 were about to be stoned, there was given, previous to execution, 

 a drink of wine in which was put myrrh mingled with the juice 

 of the hemlock, to inspire them with courage to meet death 

 and to lessen its pain. 



