82 
disguise. 
and retired, after expressing by this action 
that they broke treaty with him. 
This example is the most ancient of its 
kind that we know; but it proves that for a 
long time this mode of breaking an oath had 
been in use, since the vassals did not think 
it necessary to add a single, word of explana¬ 
tion, as they felt sure of being understood. 
DISGUISE. 
COMMON STRAMONIUM. 
This plant is of a very dangerous nature, 
though it clothes itself with an elegant in¬ 
dented foliage, and garnishes its branches with 
corollas of a graceful and negligent shape, 
so purely white that it lulls suspicion of its 
true character to rest. Its charms only al¬ 
lure, that its powerful narcotic poison may 
more easily destroy. Several instances of its 
baneful effects upon persons who have endea¬ 
voured to chew it are on record. Only a few 
years back, a child who had amused herself 
with this poisonous plant was so affected as 
to be in the greatest danger, from which she 
was rescued only by the prompt assistance 
of a medical practitioner. It is therefore ne¬ 
cessary to caution children against its male¬ 
volent nature. 
