ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, IX. xvi. 6-8 



these facts have been most carefully ascertained 

 among the Tyrrhenians of Herakleia. Now l it is not 

 surprising that in some circumstances the effects of 

 the poison should be incurable, and yet in others that 

 a cure should be possible, this being also the case 

 with other deadly poisons.) 



To return wolfs bane, as has been said, is useless 

 to those who do not understand it ; in fact it is 

 said that it is not lawful even to have it in one's 

 possession, under pain of death ; also that the 

 length of time which it takes to produce its effects 

 depends on 2 the time when it is gathered ; for that 

 the time which it takes to kill is equal to that which 

 has elapsed since it was gathered. 



Of two famous druggists and of the virtues of hemlock. 



Thrasyas of Mantineia had discovered, as he said, 

 a poison which produces an easy and painless end ; 

 he used the juices of hemlock poppy and other such 

 herbs, so compounded as to make a dose of con- 

 veniently small size, weighing only somewhat less 

 than a quarter of an ounce. For the effects of this 

 compound there is absolutely no cure, and it will 

 keep any length of time without losing its virtue 

 at all. He used to gather his hemlock, not just 

 anywhere, but at Susa 3 or some other cold and 

 shady spot ; and so too with the other ingredients ; 

 he also used to compound many other poisons, using 

 many ingredients. His pupil Alexias was also clever 

 and no less skilful than his master, being also versed 

 in the science of medicine generally. 



3 2otWi> MSS. ; Aavacev conj. Sch. cf. 9. 15. 8 n. The men- 

 tion of Mantineia makes it likely that a place in Arcadia is 

 intended. 



303 



