216 
PERFIDY. 
ALMOND LAUREL. 
In the environs of Trebizond, on the bor¬ 
ders of the Black Sea, we find the treache¬ 
rous laurel growing naturally. It conceals 
under its sweet and brilliant verdure the most 
deadly poison we are acquainted with. In 
winter it adorns our groves; and is loaded in 
the spring with numerous pyramids of white 
flowers, which are succeeded by a black fruit, 
resembling small cherries ; its flowers, fruit, 
and leaves, have the taste and smell of the 
almond. It is related that a tender mother, 
on the birth-day of one of her children, wish¬ 
ing to prepare something nice for her family, 
threw some pounds of sugar and a handful of 
almond laurel leaves into a cauldron of boil¬ 
ing milk. At the prospect of the approaching 
feast, an innocent joy sparkled in every eye. 
O ! surprise ! Scarcely had they tasted the 
fatal dish, when every countenance changed, 
their hair became erect, their breathing 
quickened, a thousand confused noises issued 
from their chests, a horrible fury possessed, 
agitated, and disordered their senses. The 
desolate mother wished to call for succour; 
but, seized with the same disease, she partook 
of the insensible delirium, for which she could 
