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itself to him every where ready for use ; for the 
bruised leaves bound on the head or any other 
aching part, will produce relief; but take care not 
to eat its bulbs, for they have often killed little chil¬ 
dren who are attracted by their nut-like appearance 
and their sweetness. This Cicuta is famous lor its 
having composed the beverage which a wise phi¬ 
losopher in ancient times was ordered to drink, 
when he w r as condemned to death by bad men, foi 
trying to teach truth. Did you ever hear of So¬ 
crates, Mary ?” Mary had not, but she thought she 
should ask her mother to tell her that strange story. 
» 
“ The Hemlock only poisons men and cows,” said 
Asclepias ; “ in spring the cattle are often hurt by 
it, but as the season advances, its fragrance is so 
strong that they soon learn to avoid it.” 
Mary did not approach any of these plants. 
There was something in these fearful powers of 
