Tanghinia Venenifera

This plant is a native of Madagascar, and

of the family _Apocynaceae_. Formerly, when the custom of trial by

ordeal was more prevalent than now, the seeds of this plant were

in great repute, and unlimited confidence was placed in the

poisonous seeds as a detector of guilt. The seeds were pounded,

and a small piece swallowed by each person to be tried; those in

whom it caused vomiting were allowed to escape, but when it was

retained in the stomach, it would quickly prove fatal, and their

guilt was thus held to be proven.