r 



m 



pjcU^lr^rje, 



Cjclkborus niriMs. Natural Order: Raii!incuhtcci.v — Crowfoot Family. 



EVERAL plants are known under the name of Hellebore, and 

 though belonging to different and distinct families, the}- all pos- 

 sess highly poisonous qualities, as the literal translation of their 

 botanical name would signify, " food of death," from the com- 

 > bination of two Greek words, eJcin, to cause death (literally to 

 '.^ take away), and bora, food. Though fatal in inexperienced 

 , hands, they are exceedingly useful in the hands of educated medical 

 men. The ancients were also well acquainted with their merits, as 

 ^they used them for all " mental diseases, such as madness and idioc}', 

 the best growing on the island of Anticyra in the ^gean sea." This 

 variety is from Europe, is about three feet high, with large, nodding 

 flowers, and is grown as an ornamental plant. 



inlu 



mm 



IVTOR might nor greatness in mortality 



Can censure 'scape ; back- wounding calumny 

 The whitest virtue strikes; what king so strong 



T^ 



— Sliakesfei 



Can tie tlie gall up in the slanderous 



'HE world with calumny abounds; 

 The whitest virtue slander wounds; 

 There are whose joy is, night and day, Whatever fruit tl" 



To talk a character away. —Pope. The wasp 



■fllHEN sland'rous tongue thy honor stings, 

 '* This solace give thee rest: — 



m brings, 

 11 choose the best. 



—G. A. Burger. 



'T'HE ignoble mind 



Loves ever to assail with secret bloM 

 The loftier purer beings of their kind. 



f^. 



VtO wound which warlike hand of enemy 

 ■'■' Inflicts with dint of sword, so sore doth 

 As doth the poisonous sting which infamy 



^W. G.Simms. 



Infixeth in the name of noble wight; 

 For by no art, nor any leeches' might 

 It ever can received be again. —spen. 



U^^ 



156 



Si I 



