The philosopher's bane--- Sometimes known as "devil's porridge", hemlock was a favorite method of execution in ancient Greece, the most famous incident involving Socrates. Sentenced for "failing to acknowledge the gods that the city acknowledges" and "introducing new deities," Socrates was condemned to death by drinking a hemlock-based liquid. After being condemned to death, Socrates then had to act, unfortunately, as his own executioner, a "press-gang" suicide, if you will.... Unlike most poisonous plants that might offer its victims altered realities or hallucinations, which lend themselves readily to many of the witchcraft and folklore myths, hemlock attacks the central nervous system--- creating an ascending muscular paralysis, which results in respiratory arrest once it attacks the respiratory muscles--- leaving its victims completely lucid up to the moment of death. Definitely not an easy way to meet one's end.... H...