«Ride POIsGN itt US. a PLANTS Y @ 2 Y IN FIELD AND GARDE} EN. o PROFESSOR HENSLOW . 2.8 a s.a _— SS ————— —_ — —— i MLA AN, ee . ow 5 * a &''a1a sa .'e, a : y ‘a's ‘'A''@ at. he : . eS i prises = “se, ~ a? <° j ate =* = 2 a 3 ‘7. ae | S : . ‘ ‘ ¢ 4 ‘ 4 ‘ 4 & a Ve : s e s 6 t ‘ ic « - a ; => => Vien © a = {to} mn . . he hes ple? 51399 YAY, R WG. bson-iny “aii ———— —— ee = 7 ney ie Se tae Pe, ll” ee Fy ial mF SA ot ? og 7 Sean’ v4 ba, ie = he ee ie Bait, Set es rw) vai ate eye ; Yas a7 A A ty, ; _ POISONOUS PLANTS IN FIELD AND GARDEN. » ¢ ak . ae 1S aot POISONOUS PLANTS IN. FIELD AND GARDEN BY THE REV. PROFESSOR G. HENSLOW M.A., F.L.S., F:G.S., ETC. AUTHOR OF ‘THE MAKING OF FLOWERS,’ ETC. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL LITERATURE COMMITTEE | LONDON: SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C.; 43, QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, E.C, BRIGHTON : 129, NorRTH STREET. New York: E. & J. B. YOUNG & CO. IQOI .= ~ - a et Ce NG ‘ CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION . : ‘ } : ‘ 13 CEASS tT: DICOTYLEDONS DIVISION I. PETALS, FREE; WITHOUT ANY RECEPTACULAR EXPANSION é ; : ‘ : . 30 Il. PETALS, FREE ; FLOWER WITH A RECEPTACULAR EXPANSION : : : : . 66 III. COROLLA, WITH THE PETALS COHERENT ar 182 IV. FLOWERS INCOMPLETE; COROLLA WANTING; SEXES OFTEN SEPARATE , i 4 ee Ys CLASS II MONOCOTYLEDONS I. PERIANTH SUPERIOR AND OVARY INFERIOR . I61 II. PERIANTH INFERIGR AND OVARY SUPERIOR . 169 Il]. FLOWERS WITH GLUMES INSTEAD OF A PERIANTH I 78 3 00D ON An ff LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . Field Buttercup (Ranunculus acris) ; a> Seg . Vertical section of flower of Strawberry ; 21 . Vertical section of flower of Peach (petals removed) . ; ; : ae . Vertical section of flower of Mase : : 22 . Vertical section of Apple. ; ; cee . Vertical section of flower of Currant. ; 22 . Stamens and pistil of flower of Pea . : ee . Traveller’s Joy (Clematis Vitalba) : : COO . Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus) . 36 Io. ¥i: mere. TZ, Boney 3 BR. ee a 14. Page. <1. | 16. pei 17. = __-17*, Spindle-tree in fruit (Euonymus europaeus) 18, Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) . SE ee -——--19. Yellow Vetchling (Lathyrus Aphaca) . me 20, Bryony (Bryonia dioica). ; ; pee = 21. Fool’s Parsley (Zthusa Cynapium) ee ye 22. Hemlock icomiven hear Py RW oe tu Spear-wort (Ranunculus Flammula) Fetid Hellebore (Helleborus fetidus) ; ; Aconite (Aconitum Nafpellus) , Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum) Celandine (Chelidonium majus) . ; Corn-cockle (Agvostemma Githago) ; , Wood-sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella) Spindle-tree in flower (Euonymus europeus) 23. Water-Hemlock, or Gowbane (Cicuta virosa) Rr ke. era 24. Hemlock Water-Dropwort (nanthe crocata) . 95 | 25. Fine-leaved Dropwort (@. Phellandrium). — « Wer 26. Common Water-Dropwort (@. fistulosa) ; ee 27. Broad Water-Parsnip (Sum latifolium) . SO cee 4. 28. Dwarf Elder (Sambucus Ebulus) : : oF ec Weeets eeu 29. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa) : j e SOS eS 30. Deadly Nightshade (A¢vopa Belladonna) ; 119 ctl . 31. Thorn-apple (Datura Stramonium) . . ~ Shae, sas . 32. Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) . a Wepre soy 5 33. Great Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) ‘ BOE 34. Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) . 2° > Cgepeee 35. Yellow Rattle (RAénanthus Cristagilly 2 rote te eres 36. Sheep’s-sorrel (Rumex Acetosella) : 8 eee 37. Spurge-laurel (Daphne Laureola) . ‘ as ! =e 38. Spurge (Euphorbia Helioscopia) . epee Fe Te 3 39. Caper Spurge (Euphorbia Lathyris) : es ae 40. Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) . : oe ee as 41. Yew (Zaxus baccata) F ; ; 5 Sak as 7 42. Black Bryony ( Zamus communis) : ‘ ae 5 oh 43. Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) 5 = 165, : NS 44. Four-leaved Paris (Paris guadrifolia) . oa 7B - Meee a 45. Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale) . Paes 173, Sets 46. Darnel (Lolium temulentum) PRELIMINARY REMEDIES AND ANTIDOTES IN CASES OF POISONING BY THE FOLLOWING PLANTS RECOM- MENDED BY EMINENT PHYSICIANS, Aconite, Monkshood or Wolfsbane Almonds, Bitter ; and Prussic Acid . Belladonna, or Deadly Nightshade Broom ; : Bryony Buttercups, etc. Christmas Rose, or Black eevee Colchicum, or Meadow Saffron Cuckoo-pint Darnel Dropwort, Water Elder . Ergot, a fungus Fool’s Parsley Foxglove . Fungi . Hellebore (Heliebonis: sp.) (Veratrum, sp.) . Hemlock (Conzum) , Water, or Cowbane (Cicuta) ; Piachiiie : : Laburnum . : , Larkspur . 3 ‘ x POISONOUS PLANTS PAGE Laudanum ‘ : ; 7 : + 8s Laurel, Common : ; : ° ° 80 Laurel, Spurge. ” . ° ° > AS? Lobelia : > : . : ; 108 Lords and Ladies , F ; . . 168 Meadow Saffron, or Colchicum ; : ; 176 Mezereon. : . : : ; Pama Monkshood, or Aconite : ‘ ‘ ‘ 47 Morphine ; . ‘ ; ot 5S Nightshade, Deadly . - ; : : 322 Oleander . : 4 : ; : 134, 138 Opium ; : ; : ; ; 55 Oxalic Acid ‘ : : ;: P = oe Poppy . : : ; - as - 54 Potash, Binoxalate of . ; ; : Een Prickwood, or Spindle-tree . ; a - 69, 138 Prussic Acid P ; ; : ‘ 5 toe Ranunculus Family . . P é : 33 Savin ; : : : % . 160 Sorrel, Common (Rumex Acetosa) . . . 64 , Wood (Oxalis Acetosella) . F -- -64 Spindle-tree . : : g ; . 69, 138 Spurge, Common. ‘ : A ‘ - 54 ——, Caper . ° : ‘ 2 =, 154 Laurel : : 5 : : 147 Thorn-apple . ° P A ‘ 122 Toad-stools , ‘ f . .. ae Tobacco . : ‘ : : p 133 Water-Dropwort . ° . ° ° ee: | — Hemlock > : 3 ‘ 94 Wolfsbane, or Aconite . ‘ ‘ R opal Wood-Sorrel . ‘. Yew : ; 160 yj ies eee MR. A. W. BLYTH’S DOMESTIC READY REMEDIES FOR POISONING Mr. BLYTH strongly recommends families pos- sessing an “Antidote Cupboard” for use in cases of emergency. This cupboard may contain— (1) The Multiple Antidote, which consists of a saturated solution of sulphate of iron 100 parts, water 800, magnesia 88, animal charcoal 44 parts. It is best to have the animal charcoal and mag- nesia mixed together in the dry state, and kept in a well-corked bottle; when required for use, the saturated solution of sulphate of iron is mixed with eight times its bulk of water, and the mixture of charcoal and magnesia added with constant stirring. The multiple antidote may be given in wine-glassful doses, frequently repeated, in cases of _ poisoning by arsenic, zinc, opium, foxglove or digi- talis, mercury, or strychnine. It is of no use in phosphorus poisoning, or in poisoning by the caustic alkalies or antimony. (2) Calcined magnesia or any bland oil for use _ in poisoning by acids. xii POISONOUS PLANTS (3) French turpentine for ise by phos- phorus. | (4) Powdered ipecacuanha in awell coreed bottle; the bottle containing a small pill-box, which is cut down, so that when full it contains thirty grains—. the proper dose as an emetic. A similar small supply of sulphate of zinc may also be provided. (5) A tin of mustard for emetics ; and sulphate of zinc tablets. (6) A bottle of vinegar, in cases of poison by alkalies, such as caustic soda. If then, provided with such a supply, any mem- ber is known to have taken poison, and yet the precise poison is not known, give a sulphate of gine or tpecacuanha emetic, and follow it up by the multiple antidote, which is in itself not poisonous. In adding the remedies suggested by eminent medical men, I have quoted such, as a rule, as can be applied at once ; but I have omitted what can only be left to the ‘wees man, who should be called in as soon as possible when any ietba poisoning has occurred. POISONOUS PLANTS oe. TN FIELD AND GARDEN | INTRODUCTION c THE number of children who are made more or less ill by eating berries and leaves, etc., which they find in the hedges, is undoubtedly very con- - -siderable every year; but the number of /ata/ results is probably very small. There is no doubt that .mishaps might be considerably reduced if our country clergy, school-masters, and school- mistresses, knew something about wild flowers, 9 and could distinguish between poisonous and QQ. harmless plants. —..Itis the object of this book to enumerate and em describe such of our common wild plants, as well = as some frequently cultivated, which are at all Ss likely to prove harmful to our little ones; who are _ only too apt to put everything which appears — 4 3 attractive into their mouths, eS ee ee 14 POISONOUS PLANTS - In describing plants as “ poisonous,” it must be borne in mind that the word “ poison” is a purely relative term; and if it seem to convey the idea of “deadliness,” such is, as a rule, only applicable to it in its more concentrated form as prepared by chemists. Thus, e.g. children have been made ill by eating too many leaves of the common sorrel, which is perfectly harmless as a salad plant; but the pleasant acidity is due to the presence of binoxalate of potash; which, when sold as “salts of lemon” for taking out ink-stains, is a dangerous substance. | The following is the definition of a Poison as given by Mr. Alexander Wynter Blyth:—“A substance of definite chemical composition, whether mineral or organic, may be called a poison, if it is capable of being taken into any living organism, and causes, by its own inherent chemical nature, _ impairment or destruction of function.” The late Dr. B. W. Richardson observed that poisons are not always so bad as they are made out to be, bad as they are; and he quoted a saying from our great national dramatist, Shakespeare :— — “There is a soul of goodness in things evil, Would man observingly distil it out.” Thus a large number of substances, which are very poisonous if taken in any quantity, become valuable medicines in the hands of-skilful practitioners. ae = oe ee INTRODUCTION 15 The various authorities, from whose works I _have mainly compiled the present volume on British and cultivated Garden poisonous plants, are as follows: Mr. Alexander Wynter Blyth’s Old and Modern Poison Lore, and his Potsons, their Effects and Detection (1895); M. Ch. Cornevin’s work entitled Des Plantes vénéneuses (this contains all of our harmful English plants, as well as those of the Continent); Dr. Tanner’s Memoranda on -Potsons (1862); Dr. R. Hogg’s Vegetable Kingdom (1858) ; and Mr. Johnson’s Brztzsh Poisonous Plants (1856).! It is not merely children who should be warned against putting anything they find growing wild into their mouths ; even adults are apt to make the most stupid mistakes. Thus the garden Aconite, which no one can mistake when in flower, having long been in cultivation in cottage gardens, has been the cause of the death of whole families ; because, in the limited space at the disposal of the _1 As it was inconvenient to give repeated references in almost every paragraph, I here express my indebtedness, _ generally, to the authors mentioned, from whom I have = borrowed freely, often quoting verbatim. _ The illustrations are mainly from Bentham’s Handbook of _. the British Flora: two, that of the Buttercup and Fool’s Parsley, from my own book, How to Study Wild Flowers __ _(R.T.S.), to which I would refer the reader for a more com- 5 plete knowledge of the structure of our principal wild flowers __ than can be given in this Introduction. cede a pee 0 Ol ae ae = 16 POISONOUS PLANTS cottager, a little horse-radish is also grown. In winter he digs up a root and poisons his family, having supplied them with Aconite by mistake, Or again, they collect the thick roots of the Water- Hemlock, or other harmful plant, as a substitute for parsnips ; or the leaves of the Fool’s Parsley for those of the true one, etc. Such mistakes are often made with painful results to the consumer, even if they be not fatal. These and such-like are the cases one would wish to prevent in future ; if only those who could do so would impart the knowledge to our country children ; as the late Rev. Prof. J. S. Henslow did, to the village children of Hitcham, Suffolk, more than forty years ago.t THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS. IN order to be able to recognize poisonous herbs, shrubs, or trees, some little knowledge of the structure of flowers and fruits is necessary ; so I 1 It would be greatly to their advantage educationally, as well as useful, if the subject of Botany were generally intro- duced into our schools, on the plan adopted by my father. Then, besides a general collection of all the wild flowers of the district, one of the poisonous fruits and seeds for com- — parison would be invaluable. But it requires some little enthusiasm on the part of the incumbent as well as of the school-master. . 4 = THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS 17 propose giving a general description, that the reader may be able to understand and recognize flowers by the peculiarities of their several parts. Let us take some common flower as a butter- cup, and dissect it. If the reader can procure a living specimen, it is desirable todo so; but if not, Fig. x. Ranunculus acris; Field Buttercup. ee (Pig: 1). The flower consists of four floral Whorls. The two outermost are called the Calyx, of five free sepals ; and the Corolla, of five free fetals, each of which has a little honey-gland at the base. The third whorl consists of numerous Stamens, ame ton Se ; B 18 POISONOUS PLANTS each of which is composed of a stalk or filament carrying the yellow anther at the top (Figs. 1 ; 2and 2*), This consists of two cells, united back to back by the continuation of the filament, called the connective (shown in Fig. 2). The cells split down the edges and liberate the fol/en, a kind of dust consisting of yellow spherical grains. If the stamens be removed, a small slopitae structure will be seen left behind. This is the Pzs¢z/, which consists of numerous free carfels, making the fourth whorl (Figs. 3 and 6). We will now refer to the illustration for more special details. This represents the flowering top of our common field buttercup (Ranunculus acris), called acris by Linnzus because of its very acrid juice. The leaves spring up from the ground and have their blades” deeply cleft into about five sharp-pointed “seg- ments ”; and then, these are again cleft. The flower- stalk is smooth and round (not fluted as in the- bulbous buttercup, which flowers rather earlier than the field buttercup). Examining a flower, it will be seen that the _ sepals spread out under the petals (4); (a) repre- sents little bracts. These are rudimentary blades of leaves reduced to one or a few segments only. The petal (Fig. 1) shows the minute notched flap in front of a honey-pit. Fig. 2* is a stamen puawing an anther just beginning to burst ae . | a - i Fern e cape ae a y 2 her eel Ss mas LS 13 ae oe > < > é “ ms o - — THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS 19 the right-hand edge. Fig. 2 is another stamen with both of the anther-cells open to shed the pollen. Fig. 3 is a flower in which the carpels are beginning to ripen, and from which the sepals, petals, and most of the stamens have fallen off. The floral receptacle is the enlarged, somewhat globular support for the parts of the flower. Fig. 4 is a carpel, (a) being the ovary, (0) the style, and (c) the stigma. Fig. 5 is the same cut vertically showing the ovule at the base of the ovary. This becomes the seed and then fills the ovary-cell completely, as shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 6, the carpels are now ripe, making a head of achenes. Fig. 7 is one of them separated, and Fig. 8 is a section showing the seed cleft in half, and filling the entire chamber of the pericarp as the _ ripened carpel is now called. Its minute embryo is seen at the base embedded in exdosperm (flour, in wheat). Figs. 9 and Io are two views of the embryo. We must now briefly consider ie uses of these parts of a flower, i The calyx protects the rest of the flower when “oe __- undeveloped in the bud. . bce The corolla attracts insects, which come for 2 honey or pollen, by its bright colour. The stamens shed the fertilizing pollen on to- ss bees, etc, or else on to the stigma. In the former case, it is conveyed to other flowers of the 20 POISONOUS PLANTS same kind; in the latter the carpels become fertilized at once. For, as soon as a pollen-grain has fallen upon a stigma, it sends down a little tube into the ovary, and then into the ovule, by means of a little hole prepared to receive it. A fertilizing matter called the sperm-cell then unites with the germ-cell within the ovule, and the result is finally an embryo with or without endosperm; which is reserve food-material, upon which the embryo lives when it germinates until it has provided © itself with true roots and green leaves. As soon as the carpels have been fertilized, the sepals, petals, and stamens wither and fall off. The former now enlargeuntil theyare fully matured, turn brown and then fall off. Each little carpel has now become an achene or fruit; while its ovule has developed into a seed. In this case the ovary of the carpel dries up and is called as stated the fericarp, and remains tightly investing the seed within it. The next point to notice is the behaviour of the flower-stalk. This is called the Peduncle if it carries a single flower, as of a tulip, or a head of flowers or rather “ florets” as they are diminutive in size, as of a daisy or dandelion. But, if each flower is borne on its own little stalk arising from the peduncle, such is called the Pedicel, as in a_ bunch of currants or the Lily of the Miss. tnd the form of a cup round the pistil. This is the case with fig 3. vert. sec, of flower of } Peach. THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS ag | either case the terminal part which carries all the parts of the flower is enlarged into what is called the Floral Receptacle. In the raspberry it forms a cone up the middle of the fruit and in the strawberry it is enormously enlarged and forms the edible structure. But, besides the terminal enlarged part, it may spread out more or less horizontally and form a ring round the base of the flower. Such occurs in the raspberry and straw- berry (Fig. 2), when it constitutes alittletrough. The outer edge now carries the sepals, petals, and stamens to a little distance away from the pistil which alone remains on the central support, as shown in the figure. The use of this lateral expansion is the formation of the honey-secreting surface. | Yet a further growth may take place. The outer rim which carries the sepals, petals, and stamens may grow up into Fig. 2. Vert. sec. of flower of Strawberry. the almond, cherry or peach ~ (Fig. 3), and rose (Fig. 4). In the first three named, there is only one carpel which becomes 22 POISONOUS PLANTS the fruit; but in the rose, the cup or “hep” is full of free carpels which can be picked out of this “receptacular tube,” as it is called ; as may be seen in Fig. 4. Yet one more condition may exist. In the preceding cases the carpels can be removed and the cup will be left behind. But, in the case of the pear, apple (Fig. 5), gooseberry, currant (Fig. 6), etc., adhesion to the carpels within it, ig.4. Vert. sec. of so that it cannot now be separated. ower of Rose 4 Thus in the apple the carpels form the “core”; but the edible portion is mainly “ flower-stalk,” ze. the adherent receptacular tube. Fig. 5. Vert. sec. of Apple. Fig. 6. Vert. sec. of fower of Currant. As the flower Jooks as if it grew on the top of the ovary, this Jatter is said to be “inferior,” 2, 2. cee “below” the flower. the receptacular tube has grown in | THE STRUCTURE OF FLOWERS he “Inferior” fruits can generally be recognized by having the withered sepals and stamens on the top, as shown in Fig. 5; while the petals fall off. This will be recalled in the case of the gooseberry and currant, apples, pears, etc. Cucumbers and melons, and the scarlet berry of the Bryony, however, are also inferior fruits ; but with them the whole of the flower articulates, leaving a clean scar on the top of the inferior ovary. We must now notice another modification in flowers, and that is the coheston which may take place between the parts of the whorls. In buttercups, every- , thing is free ; but in Fig. 7. Stamens of Pea ; nine coherent, the primrose, the five es sepals are joined together; so are the five petals into a tube; and the globular ovary consists of five coherent carpels. | In the Pea family the stamens are united by their filaments making a complete tube in Laburnum and Broom ; but with one of the ten stamens free in most athets of this family (Fig. 7), in order to allow insects to get at the honey. secreted within the tube; z.e. by the receptacle round the base of the single carpel, the stigma of which protrudes. - -Carpels, if two or more in number, are generally united. Thus there are two in Thorn-apple (Fig. 31) 24. POISONOUS PLANTS and Hemlock (Fig. 22), several in the Poppy-head (Fig. 13). The number of parts in the whorls may vary from two to six, being rarely more unless the flower be “double.” Fours and fives prevail in Dicotyledons and threes in Monocotyledons ; these being the two great classes which contain all flowering plants. Lastly, any whorl may be regular or ‘erage z.€. if the parts be all exactly alike, or with some of them unlike. Thus in a Buttercup (Fig. 1) and Primrose every whorl is regular ; but in the Lark- spur and Aconite (Fig. 12) the sepals are irregular, and in all members of the Foxglove family as well as that of the Labiates—not referred to in this book as they contain no poisonous plant—the corolla is irregular, as seen in the common Dead- nettle and Sage. CLASSIFICATION. BEFORE discussing individual poisonous plants, we must consider on what principles they are arranged ; to do this we can follow the lines of historical botany; for, at first, as a general rule, every plant was known by a single name; but it was early observed that in many cases there were obviously plants so much alike that they all had to be called by the same name; but, at the same CLASSIFICATION 25 time, there were as obviously certain differences, so that a second name was given to each. Thus a medical botanist who wrote in the tenth century (and others before him) speaks of < 50 POISONOUS PLANTS niger. ‘These seeds have a certain piquant and acrid flavour. They are the “ fitches” of Scripture, and are still used in Germany and the East for seasoning dishes, or cakes, on which they are sprinkled, as we do with caraway-seeds. The remaining and less common members of the Buttercup family (Ranunculacee), whether wild or — cultivated, are all more or less poisonous, so that it will not be necessary to add further remarks, except to warn parents and guardians, and all who have the charge of children, to see that they never put anything growing wild in their mouths, nor anything cultivated in the flower-garden. Poppy FAMILY (Papaverace@).—We have four indigenous poppies, and the Opium poppy as an occasionalescape(Fig. 13). They are cornfield weeds with rough, divided leaves and scarlet flowers. The calyx has only two sepals, which fall off as the bud opens; four free petals, numerous stamens with purple-black anthers, and a pistil of several — coherent carpels. There is no style,so that the crown-like stigma rests on the ovary; which, when ripened into a capsule, bursts by pores at the summit, under the edges of the stigmatic crown. They are all characterized by having a milky juice, which when coagulated constitutes crude — opium. It is acrid and narcotic. OpIuM Poppy (Papaver somniferum). —Unlike the wild poppies, this has a smooth stem and foliage, DICOTYLEDONS 51 It has been in cultivation for many centuries. Gerarde figures both single and double kinds in his Flerball, 1597. It is believed to be a cultivated variety of the S. European species, P. setigerum. _ Dr. Hogg gives the following account of the extraction of opium. He says the manner in which Fig. 13. Papaver somniferum ; Opium Poppy. opium is obtained is still the same as that practised in the East centuries before the time of our Saviour. A few days after the fall of the flower, " men and women proceed to the fields at sunset, and make horizontal incisions in the poppy-heads, 1 The “gall” of Scripture, a translation of Rosh, meaning — Oe “head, ze appears to have been opium. 52 POISONOUS PLANTS or capsules, when still unripe, taking care not to cut so deep as to penetrate their cavity. The white juice exudes, and appears in the form of tears, on the edges of the incisions; and the night dews favour the exudation of the juice. The field is left in this state for twenty-four hours, after which the juice is scraped off with a small iron scoop or a blunt knife. The operation is never performed more than once on each head. The inspissated juice is then formed into cakes, ready for the © market. The petals contain the milky juice, so should not be put in the mouth. The seeds, of which there are two kinds, white-skinned, and dark or black- skinned, contain much oil, and have no, or at least a very small trace of opium. They are eaten in — some parts of Europe, being made into cakes or strewed upon bread, or in sugar. It is said that. the ancients rolled them up in their bread to excite an appetite. Virgil speaks of the poppy as cereale papaver, probably as the wild form (P. setigerum) isa cornfield plant. Ceres is always represented as crowned with poppies. Poppy-seed is also given — to singing-birds, as “ Maw-seed” when they are moulting. The cake after the oil is expressed is te a food for cattle. In 1700, when the olive crop _ failed, poppy-seed oil was found to be a good sub- stitute. The seeds are usually regarded as quite harmless ; but there is little doubt that they do — “ Ba oe i DICOTYLEDONS 53 ' contain a certain amount of opium, for cases have been recorded of poisoning by the seeds only of the poppy. The most harmful application of opium is for intoxicating purposes ; as by orientals in smoking it; but the terrible abuse of morphine (contained in opium) is the practice of taking hypodermic injections, and is quite as bad. Laudanum, as prepared from opium, is, of course, a most deadly drug, and can only be used with the greatest caution. There are, unfortunately, several ways in which mothers are accustomed to quiet their infants ; as ”» “ by “cordials,” “soothing syrups,’ decoctions of poppy-heads, etc. all of which contain a certain amount of stupefying opium, and have frequently proved fatal. “ Poppy-heads,” or the dried capsules, retain the poisonous principle, and numerous cases are on record of infants dying from the adminis- tration of an infusion made from them by their _ parents, who are, of course, totally ignorant of the _ strength of the infusion given. Thus, one or two teaspoonfuls of the water in which a poppy-head had been boiled, proved fatal to two children in eight hours. . “Syrup of Poppies” as sold by the chemists is equally dangerous, It is believed to be a mixture _ of the tincture or infusion of opium with simple syrup, and, as Dr. Taylor observes, is of variable a) 54 POISONOUS PLANTS strength, which accounts for children being poisoned by what was supposed to be a legitimate medicinal dose. Mr. Blyth records among the number of deaths by poisoning during the ten years ending 1892, no less than 1379 by opium, including lauda- num, morphia, etc, and 45 by mixtures called Soothing Syrup, Paregoric, etc. FIELD Poppy (2. Rh@as).—We have four wild species of poppy, all with red flowers, and easily recognized ; they all contain the same milky juice, and their smell and taste is so disagreeable that cattle refuse them. They have, however, been occasionally injured by eating unripe poppy-heads when the plant was mixed with clover and sainfoin. The only use of the wild poppy is for the colour- ing matter in the petals. Theocritus records a custom among young Greeks, who took the petals probably folded into a little bag, as boys do with rose-leaves now, and holding it between the finger and thumb of the left hand, gave it a sharp tap with the palm of the right hand. If it cracked, it was a proof that their sweetheart loved them. In his third /dyllium the goat-herd tells Amaryllis that his “telephion,” as he calls it, would not crack! 1 As antidotes to poisoning by Morphia, Mr. L. Brunton Ie gives the following :—Warm coffee after the stomach is emptied. Ammonia. Arouse by flicking with a towel, or by a galvanic battery, and keep awake by walking about and renewal of stimulation if necessary; two to four mins. liq. i * al “DICOTYLEDONS = HORNED Poppy (Glaucium luteum).—This is a handsome plant, common on our sea-shores, with large yellow flowers and juicy, bluish-green leaves, and very long pods suggesting the name. atropiz subcutaneously. Artificial respiration if necessary. Dr. Tanner adds the following recommendation :—All the poison must be removed if possible by the stomach-pump. In the absence of this instrument, emetics of half-a-drachm of sulphate of zinc, or a table-spoonful of mustard, must be employed. Zhe patient must be prevented from going to sleep; as by dashing cold water over his head and chest, walking up and down between two persons in the open air, electro-magnetic shocks to the spine, and administering strong coffee. For poisoning by Opium, Morphine, Laudanum, etc., Mr. Blyth writes as follows :—If taken by the mouth, give at once a solution of potassium permanganate, and then empty the stomach by the pump; but, if it have been taken by hypo- dermic injection, both these would be useless. The stomach in opium-poisoning is best relieved by the pump or tube, and should then be well washed out with hot coffee, leaving in the organ a pint or more. If the stomach-pump be not at hand, a dose of mustard or zinc sulphate may be given ; but there may be a difficulty in obtaining vomiting from any emetic. Attempt‘to rouse the patient by the battery, if at hand, by flips with the towel, and by shaking. The usual direction given is to make the patient walk about ; but this treatment is questionable, and likely to. favour the toxic action of morphine on the heart. : Ammonia may be applied to the nostrils. Hot coffee introduced by anenema. Thealternate cold and hot douche to the head is good, but the body should be kept warm with hot wraps. If necessary apply artificial respiration. re ’ 2 : os - 56 POISONOUS PLANTS Nothing is known of any injurious effects having | taken place; but they would probably be much the same as in the following. CELANDINE (Chelidonium mazus, Fig. 14).—This Fig. 14. Chelidonium majus ; Celandine. es. is common in hedges about villages, and in stony _ 4 places. It has much-divided leaves, small four- : petalled yellow flowers and long pods; the seeds f xs having a small crest-like appendage. : ; te f a 3 Having been an old medicinal drug-plant of the | 2 ; DICOTYLEDONS 57 - Middle Ages, it was probably introduced and has become a naturalized plant in Britain. It exhales a disagreeable odour. The acrid juice is still used in the country as a cure for warts and parasites ; or as an emetic and purgative, but not without harmful results; for it acts as a strong irritant, not only to the external skin, but especi- ally upon the intestinal digestive organs, producing | nausea and dysentery. It is in fact a “drastic purgative.” A peculiarity lies in the fact that the poisonous principle remains long in the system ; so that domestic animals poisoned by it should not be eaten. The plant used to be called Swallow-wort ; “ not,” as Gerarde wrote in his Herball (1597), “ because it ’ first springeth at the coming in of the swallows, or dieth when they go away—for it may be found all the year ; but because some hold opinion, that with this herb the dams restore sight to their young ones when their eyes be out; which things are. vain and false.” The VIOLET FAMILY (Vzolacee), VIOLET (Viola, sp.).—Seven species represent this family in Britain. SWEET VIOLET (V. odorata).—The flowers are — dried and crystallized in sugar; but are also used _ medicinally as a “pectoral.” The seeds and under- _ ground stem or rhizome are poisonous. If taken _ internally these parts incite nausea and great ~ - 58 POISONOUS PLANTS © F vomiting and nervous affections. This is due to an alkaloid with pronounced emetic qualities. The sweet scent of the flowers is correlated with dele- terious principles in the stem, for these are greatly reduced in the scentless species of Vzola, including the Pansy. This is used in America in the form of an ointment, and internally for bronchitis. The seeds are injurious, being sometimes pre- scribed as a purgative. A foreign genus /ouxzdium, has the same prin- ciples as /pecacuanha, which belongs to the Gakum, or Coffee Family. PINK FAMILY (Caryophyllacee).—This large family includes all the pinks and carnations, catchflies, stitchwort, as well as numerous little humble weeds with inconspicuous flowers, as chick- weed, spurry, sandworts, etc. It is generally credited as being perfectly innocuous, but three plants call for attention. CORN-COCKLE (Agvrostemma Githago, Fig. 15).— - This is a common cornfield weed, a tall and erect annual, with opposite pairs of long narrow leaves, The flowers have long peduncles. The calyx has its sepals coherent with long leaf-like terminations. The five petals are free, with tapering stalks, called “claws.” There are ten stamens. There is a short space or internode between the insertion of the calyx and the rest of the flower. The pistil consists of five carpels, of which the ovaries are coherent, ‘DICOTYLEDONS 59 but not the styles and stigmas (see the figure). The fruit is a capsule opening by five teeth, and - has numerous dark-coloured seeds. As the seeds are shed simultaneously with the corn, they are apt to communicate injurious pro- Fig. 15. Agrostemma Githago ; Corn-cockle. = perties to the flour. They have no scent, but are bitter to the taste. _ As the seed-skin is black, and when ground up _ the fragments remain, the presence of the seeds can be thereby detected. Moreover the starch - grains are exceedingly small as compared with Lin oS ¢ ae 60 POISONOUS PLANTS the round grains of starch of wheat. As the black ~ fragments are removed by fine sifting or bolting, the flour should be carefully examined, before grinding. But it imparts a greyish tint and dis- agreeable odour, even to bread when_ baked. Again, the fine-grained starch does not so readily give the blue or violet colour with iodine. This test has been used with success, as also to estimate the quantity of the deleterious grain present. There are also several other useful tests. ; 3 ‘No animal will eat the plant, and all mishaps recorded resulted from the seeds in bread as far as man is concerned, for the heat of baking does not destroy the injurious quality. Accidents with animals have occurred by fonds ing them with the so-called “thirds” and siftings. No less than forty-five per cent. of the meal of corn- cockle has been found in fraudulent food for cattle — i, on the Continent. Two and a half per thousand in weight is sufficient to kill a calf and a fowl, but only one per thousand a pig.! The active principle acts as an irritant, and with local inflammation, — giving rise to diarrhoea within, and, if injected hypodermically, serious inflammation. A substance — of the same nature as that of the Soapwort and sae 1 Cornevin’s system is to calculate the number of grammes ‘t of the poison, and one thousand (or one kilogram of we se live animal’s weight. DICOTYLEDONS 61 called Sapfonzne occurs, but this is not the toxic substance (not yet traced). At all events it is a plant which no cultivator should allow among or near his cornfields, and the grains should be care- fully separated before threshing and grinding the corn. SOAPWORT (Saponaria officinalis)—This plant was used as a drug in the Middle Ages, and was naturalized before the close of the sixteenth century. The name is derived from the fact that if the root and flowers be rubbed in water they make a lather, and these were used as a substitute for soap in former days. As a drug it was one of the fifty-one ingredients of “save,” a drink for broken bones, mentioned by Chaucer. A case of ill effects of the use of a decoction of the roots has been recorded. _ The principle is called Saponine, and is found in other plants of different families. It constitutes thirty-four per cent. of the dried root. It has a_ sweetish taste, but is acrid to the mouth. A foreign plant of this family, Gypsophila Stru- thium, possesses the same properties, and is used in Spain for scouring instead of soap. __ LESSER STITCHWORT (Stellaria graminea),— This is a slender herb with quadrangular stems, and narrow, pointed leaves, It looks like a small form of the Great Stitchwort (S. Holostea) so common in our hedges, with white, star-like flowers. They both have five petals, but being — =. © = -_ 7 ee a RSS A Se ae een? Cen ee y OO OE a a aE De - . = 7 ae ee ieee, " ’ + a . = = bd y — - - ws Xz. 62 POISONOUS PLANTS deeply notched, they appear to have ten in each flower. This species has been proved to be very injurious, especially to horses on the Continent, and probably also to cattle. The motion of animals which had eaten it in fresh hay was awkward, their hinder — parts weak. There was fever, sweating, redness of the eyelids, a stupefied condition, with inability to stand or walk. The treatment adopted consisted in changing the food, cold applications to the head, and the administration of saltpetre internally. The poisonous effects appear to have been very great in the South Russian steppes. Of a drove of oxen fed on hay containing this Stitchwort, all were affected with colic, and seven died. Out of three hundred artillery horses during the Crimean _ War, which were fed on hay containing it, no — less than seventy fell during the first twenty- four hours. Many other cases of poisoning are known. It is supposed that the injurious effect is due to a a narcotic property which, in about six months ~ * after drying in hay, appears to lose its effect. Whether this common English plant is as poi- sonous as the Russian one, which is a variety of — S. graminea, known as hzppoctona, it is impossible © to say; but as no complaints by English farmers _ have been made, it may be free fromthe poisonous _ principle, as is often the case with plants growing a ‘ OS eo eee a ai hy J re 5% he “ap wie. ‘ 3 yt ews os > eae rg” DICOTYLEDONS 63 in more northern regions, compared with the same species in South Europe.! WOOD-SORREL FAMILY (Oxalidacee), Woop- SORREL (Oxralis Acetosella, Fig. 16). This little plant occurs in our woods, etc. It has a creeping stem, knotted with thick- ened bases of the leaf-~ stalks, which contain much starch as reserve- food. It has trifoliate leaves, and “sleeps” by dropping the three leaflets vertically, at night, slight- ly folding them, so that the underside of their midribs meet against the petiole. It hastwo kinds of flowers, perfect and ; nd cleistogamous.” The Fig. 16. Oxalis Acetosella ; Wood- flowers have five free ee - sepals ; five free, white petals and ten stamens; five having longer filaments than the other five (see figure). The pistil has five carpels, the ovaries being coherent, but the styles are free. 1 The above facts are taken from a paper by Dr. T. Spencer _ Cobbold in the Veterinarian, 1880. 2 Sometimes regarded asa tribe of the Geranium Family _ (Geraniacee). | 3 Self-fertilizing in bud, by “concealed union,” as the word means., ; ar 6 2 ee 2s ‘ 64 POISONOUS PLANTS The Wood-sorrel was formerly called “ Alleluya _ and Cuckowe’s-meat, because,” as Gerarde says, “When it springeth foorth the cuckowe singeth most ; at which time also Alleluya was woont to be sung in our churches.” Alleluia, however, is really only a corruption of the Calabrian name, | Juliola. The plant has a pleasant acid taste, and is consequently used in salads as the Common Sorrel. Linnzus tells us that it was so plentiful in Lap- land, that the inhabitants there use scarcely any other vegetable than this and Angelica. The juice will remove ink-spots in consequence of the binoxalate of potash that it contains; sold under the names of “ Salt of Scrrel” and “ Essen- © tial Salt of Lemons,” names which sound harmless enough ; but the latter, at least, is very misleading, for it is really a dangerous poison. It has been taken in mistake for bitartrate of potash, or cream ~ of tartar. | Ske ww Ss 1 Dr. Tanner prescribes the following treatment forpoison- ing by Sorrel, Wood-Sorrel,or Oxalic Acid. Chalk, whiting, —__ or magnesia, suspended in water or in some demulcent fluid, * — must be administered immediately ; and, if necessary, — vomiting should be excited by tickling the fauces, or administering emetics of mustard or sulphate of zinc, ete, followed by large quantities of emollient drinks. Theanti- dote, to be effective, must be given as soon as possible; the =» plaster of the apartment being used in the absence of the = DICOTYLEDONS 65 remedies just mentioned. When there are symptoms of collapse, stimulants are to be freely employed. As it is most important to be able to distinguish the above- mentioned two substances, I copy the following from Dr. Taylors work :—Cream of tartar is known by its diluted solution not being precipitated by the sulphate in any salt of lime; and by its being rendered only milky or turbid on the addition of nitrate of silver. Lime-water furnishes a ready means of distinguishing these two salts. It precipitates both of them wzte; but the precipitate from the bitartrate of potash is redissolved on adding to it a small quantity of a solution of tartaric acid; while that from the binoxalate is zot redissolved. Ink-stains, if made from oak-galls, are removed by salts of lemon ; but not by bitartrate of potash. For treatment of poisoning by Oxalic Acid, Binoxalate of Potash, or Sodic Oxalate, Mr. Blyth says : Unless the patient has already vomited freely, empty the stomach at once by emetics of zinc sulphate or mustard; or the stomach-pump or tube may, in most cases, be used. Ifthe acéd has been taken, neutralize by chalk, lime-water, or, better, by sacchar- ated lime-water ; but 07” xo account neutralize by carbonate of soda or any alkali; forthe alkaline oxalates are extremely poisonous. Give plenty of water to assist elimination by the kidneys : and apply hot fomentations tothe loins, _ _ An enema may be given, if necessary. DIVISION II PETALS, FREE; FLOWER WITH A RECEPTACULAR © EXPANSION SPINDLE-TREE FAMILY (Cé/astrace@).—Wehave __ only one representative of this family in Great Britain. as SPINDLE-TREE (Euonymus europaeus, Fig. pee i. This is a smooth-leaved shrub, the leaves being _ d very shortly stalked, opposite in pairs, with minute Ae teeth on the margin. The flowers are in loose ee clusters, each flower being scarcely half-an-inch | Bas across. The four sepals are very minute, the Lone ; petals are green, arising from below a fleshy dish 3 which surrounds the flower, uniting the parts more ~ or less together. The fruit is three or more lobed, are visible. These are dhe parts which fer children, but are very. injurious. ere o> . The common Spindle-tree received its nam ae from its wood having besa made into spindles : ~~ Mae. bs ee se ; - PICOTYLEDONS 67 was also called Prick-wood from being used for _ skewers. W ii | 4 NN ox B\. Fig. 17. Euonymus europzus; Spindle-tree (in flower). os It is the berries which are really harmful, for 68 POISONOUS PLANTS they are emetic and purgative and have proved fatal to sheep. The bark, leaves, and fruit are all injurious ; for children have been made to suffer by eating the violently purgative fruit. Fig. 17*. Euonymus europzus; Spindle-tree fia fruit). Although the tree has a sufficiently pronounced — odour, goats and sheep which have browsed uper : a the leaves have suffered. oe = A species from South Europe and another frat 2: Japan are cultivated ; so that children shoul? be : DICOTYLEDONS ~ 69 warned against eating! the very attractive-look- ing fruit and seeds. BUCKTHORN FAMILY (Rhamnacee). — Two species of a single genus, RAamnus, represent this family in Great Britain. COMMON BUCKTHORN (Rhamnus catharticus, Fig. 18)—This is a shrub or small tree, with ob- ovate,? minutely-toothed leaves. The flowers are SX very small, in axillary clusters, dicecious, 2.é. male on one tree and female on another. ‘There is a receptacular tube with the sepals, petals, and stamens on the margin; the petals being zz front of the sepals. The pistil, free within the tube, has the < eacpels~ coherent, ‘from ©. Pie: 16. Rhamnus catharticus.; ovary to stigmas. The whorls vary from fours to fives in the | numbers of their parts. | NE The fruit is a small berry, ultimately black, about the size of a pea. 1 For poisoning by ZLuvonymus, Mr. Blyth recommends “3 the same treatment as for Yoxglove or Digitalis, p. 138. Se 2 A leaf is ovate (¢.e. egg-shaped) if the broad end is ee. bese below ; obovate, if it be reversed. Wao 70 POISONOUS PLANTS Agi The berries, which are black, are purgative, as. the above name implies. They have been used for colouring wine, but at the same time they render it harmful. | ALDER BUCKTHORN (R. Frangula)3—It has been found that the berries of this second species appear to exceed those of the first in super- purgation; for a small boy who ate them suffered from headache, vertigo, unconsciousness, convul- sions of the extremities, face, etc.; sufficiently alarming as a warning against eating the berries. An important use of the berries of different species is for dyeing. Thus the juice of those of © R. catharticus when unripe yields a saffron colour ; — but when ripe they supply the “sap-green” of painters. The berries of a foreign species, R. infectorius, called Graines d Avignon,or“ French berries,” give a rich yellow colour. Those of our ae British species, R. Frangula, when unripe,dye wool both yellow and green, but when ripe both bee = and green. ate One foreign species known as “ Cascara Sagrada” ae (R. Purshianus) is used in medicine; but all species of Buckthorn are purgative. eis PEA FAMILY (Leguminose).—This is a very large family, but all our British plants are easily Ree: known by the peculiar form of the flower. They 3 : ae 1 This species has entire leaves, z.¢. without a toothed — sa margin ; and flowers with both stamens and pistil. x DICOTYLEDONS 7 71 all belong to one tribe, called Papzlionacee, from the imaginary likeness to a butterfly (Papz/zo, in Latin). | Though it is a family which supplies us with many useful foods, as peas, beans, haricots, lentils, etc.; as well as clovers, sainfoin, melilots, lucerne, etc., for horses and cattle; yet several plants are very poisonous, and should be carefully noted, and children warned, as usual, never to put flowers, fruits, or seeds into their mouths, especially those of the Laburnum, which belongs to this family. BROOM (Cytisus scoparius)—This plant is too familiar to need much description. It may be taken as a type of our British plants of this order. It has a calyx of five sepals, but coherent forming two lobes, on which three minute teeth can be detected in front and two behind. There are five petals, the large one at the back being called the “standard,” the two at the sides being the “ wings,” and two in front, coherent along the. lower edges so as to form a boat-shaped structure, are called the “keel.” There are ten stamens, all being coherent into a tube by their filaments. They surround the pistil composed of a single carpel, 3 _ which forms the pod. The receptacle has spread out horizontally ; and in most other leguminous plants secretes honey within the staminal tube. To enable the bees and other insects to reach it, the uppermost stamen is left free, allowing a passage — 72 POISONOUS PLANTS into the interior; as may be easily seen in the pea and bean, etc. Broom-tops are used in medicine, as they contain certain principles, one of which when obtained pure by the chemist is called spartezne, and is very poisonous and narcotic. It is said that shepherds are well acquainted with the narcotic properties of the broom ; having observed that sheep become at first excited and then stupefied after eating it. The seeds have similar properties to broom- tops. LABURNUM (C. Laburnum).—trThis is certainly one of the most poisonous of all trees cultivated in gardens. Children have repeatedly picked out the unripe seeds and eaten them, or masticated the green pods. Again, a boys’ school, once finding laburnum trees thrown away, chewed the roots on discovering that they possessed a flavour of liquor- ice ; but although fatal results do not seem to have followed on that occasion, the sufferers were made seriously ill with all the symptoms of narcotic poisoning. Indeed, all parts of the tree are harmful: roots, bark, wood, leaves, flower-buds, petals, pods, and seeds. No part can be put in the mouth without risk. Drying has no influence upon the poisonous property, as it is not volatile. Even boiling the DICOTYLEDONS 73 seeds for two hours did not altogether remove the toxic principle; so that they cannot be used in any way as food for animals. Children carrying bunches of the flowers of laburnum should be warned against putting them in their mouths ; and cooks against using them in culinary operations, instead of the false acacia; and even that tree has deleterious properties. A case is recorded of some pieces of bark being put into soup, which induced a protracted illness, last- ing twelve months, in a person who partook of the soup. Several children, having eaten the green ’ pods and seeds, were dangerously ill; as also was a child, between three and four years of age, who ate twelve flowers. But after an emetic, it recovered.! Though the seeds are violently purgative, emetic, and decidedly poisonous, it is said rabbits and hares are particularly fond of the tree, which they are apt to injure seriously by gnawing the bark. In some places the seeds are sown in plantations, 1 Dr. Tanner recommends for poisoning by Laburnum, emetics, castor-oil, and stimulants. Cold affusion will often be useful, more especially if there be much stupor. _ For poisoning by Ladurnum seeds, etc., Mr. Blyth recom- mends emptying the stomach by the pump. Wash it out with tea or coffee ; or give as an emetic, mustard or sulphate of zinc. Follow up this treatment by an enema or brisk purga- tive. Stimulants may be given; the patient may be roused yas __ by hot or cold douche. Similarly for Broom. ~ ‘3 74 POISONOUS PLANTS _ because these animals will not injure other trees if they can get a supply of laburnum; and though ~ they may eat them to the ground, thes! will spring | up again next season, and so »_ yield a regular supply of winter food. On the other hand, scme rabbits which ate some bark died in three minutes in tetanic convulsions, according to Dr. Taylor’s account. One can only account for these results by different effects of — climate ; the hotter the country, vegetable poisons © are the more strongly developed. SCARLET RUNNER (Phaseolus vulgaris, “var. multifiorus)— Though this plant supplies us with an excellent and highly nourishing food material, yet experience has proved that sheep are the only animals which ever eat it as green food, or the seeds of Haricots when soaked. It appears to con- tain some deleterious property, which especially resides in the roots, which have, indeed, been described as poisonous. Wistaria sinensis is a familiar climber, with ra- cemes of mauve-coloured flowers, appearing before — the leaves. Children have suffered with severe sick- __ ness, vertigo, and nervous disorders from masti- cating the flowers of this plant. —The symptoms are analogous, if not more or less identical, with those which ensue from eating laburnum seeds. SCORPION SENNA-TREE (Coronilla Emerus), C. varia, ctc., from Europe.—It has pinnate leaves Sof | 7 oe “d Pt we + no ‘ A, ee 7 Cad ‘ = ity, ee 8 ee a ee ~ DICOTYLEDONS 75 ‘about seven to nine pairs of leaflets. The flowers are in umbels. The leaves are purgative, contain- ing the same principle as the Cyzzsus. SPANISH BROOM (Sfartium junceum) has long been cultivated as a garden plant. The stems are usually leafless, bearing large, yellow, fragrant flowers. Though used as a forage-plant in Lan- geuedoc, it has been found that animals, after browsing upon the young shoots in spring, have — suffered somewhat. A similar affection has followed their eating the buds of the oak. _ LUPIN (Lupinus, sp.)—Lupins are easily known by their digitate leaves and long spikes of blue, lilac, yellow or white flowers. Of this genus, one species (L. albus) was culti- vated by the ancients for its seeds as food, both by Greeks and Egyptians; and they are still used in Andalusia, Corsica, and Piedmont. A lupin with blue flowers is cultivated in France for the nourishment of sheep; but another, a dwarf species, native of the Mediterranean regions, is a yellowed-flowered one (L. /uteus). It has also fragrant flowers. It is often eaten by animals, being less bitter than the white-flowered lupin. However, in Germany it has been so troublesome in causing a complaint, that this has been called “lupinose.” It began in 1860, on sheep; in 1880, © of 240,000, 14,138 died of it. Though sheep were ~ -~ ropa es . Sc o3 ; ra re None SY ‘ we te ee fee ee ee ait ewes ee Breer i ak fs ae Rk Feat th Si a ote Pi ke Oe eee a . - fo | os rie - St, “eet, 7 + i Fhe ir bok ia Ar uv. a \, Wig a? sors tS) ae & ed. Ge Fn gh Ae TE ONS EE I € Pl ne eae 76 _ POISONOUS PLANTS principally affected, the goat, ox, horse, dog, and rabbit did not escape, nor did a man, after con- suming the seeds of the yellow lupin. When animals are fed nearly exclusively on this lupin and straw, the malady is particularly intense ; whereas it is beneficial if it be combined with hay or beetroot in certain proportions. The lupin appears to become inoffensive when mixed with other herbage in “ silo,’ as acetic fer- mentation takes place, and the injurious principle is dissipated. : But, on the other hand, some toxic principles are developed and accumulated in the topmost layers. Hence caution is necessary, in using this food, to remove these layers. Children, who are so fond of picking out and eating unripe leguminous seeds, should be warned against doing so, not only with the laburnum and yellow lupin, but in the case of a// other kinds as well. | YELLOW VETCHLING (Lathyrus Aphaca, Fig. 19).—A cornfield weed, from the midland counties southwards, not common here, but frequent in South Europe, is our only British leguminous plant, unless we except the Broom, which is recognized as poisonous. It is remarkable for having no — leaves, a pair of spear-shaped stipules doing duty for them, while a long slender tendril replaces the DICOTYLEDONS We leaf. It bears a single small yellow flower at each node. People have suffered from violent headaches and vomiting after having eaten the seeds. ~ Three foreign species of Vetchling, ZL. satzvus, L. Crcera, and L. Clymenum, have caused an epidemic malady in Spain, Italy, and Africa, where the seeds have been eaten ; but in this country it has been with horses only that mischievous effects have resulted from the intro- duction of — so-called “Indian peas,” which proved fatal to several. This was experienced by the Bristol Tramways Company in 1894. Locust: REE, or FALSE ACACIA (Robinia Fig. 19. Latent Aohaca Yellow Pseud-acacia).—This tree is a very familiar one in gardens, having pinnate leaves and racemes of white flowers resembling in form those of the laburnum. It contains a _— poisonous principle in the leaves and bark. A Chinese woman is reported to have been very ill after eating the leaves ; but she recovered. The ROSE FAMILY (Rosace@).— Though we \ 78 POISONOUS PLANTS have valuable fruits from this family, such as plums, raspberry, strawberry, pears and apples, the first-mentioned belong to a genus of which some species produce prussic acid. Not that thispoison exists in the plant, such as the bitter almond ; but. — this fruit contains two principles called ‘‘ Amyg- daline” and “Emulsine,” harmless in themselves — when separate, but in the presence of water they produce prussic acid. The Amygdaline appears to — be confined to the cellular tissues of the embryo, the Emulsine being in the traces of the fibro- vascular cords. It is chiefly the tribe Pruneg, which contains the genus Amygdalus, the almond, and Prunus, including all kinds of plums and cherries, that has these substances which can give rise to prussic — acid. It is the cherry-laurel, the common garden — shrub, and the bitter almond with which we are now only concerned. ALMOND (Amygdalus communis) has produced several varieties under cultivation. It is only the 4 variety, the so-called bitter almonds, in the use of which some caution is necessary, especially with regard to children; and the distilled water of bitter almonds, or the essence, when used for. Te flavouring bon-bons, etc. eae Animals have been poisoned by having been fed with oil-cake made from the refuse in the © = manufacture of the oil of almonds, which itself See as eee TS 4 “\ 5, . tw - as 7 * = se ay 3. > _DICOTYLEDONS 79 is harmless, at least when quite pure and not contaminated. Two principles thus give the bitter almonds their poisonous properties, the “essence” and “prussic acid.” This is why bitter almonds and ratafia biscuits should be only eaten sparingly. Essential oil of Almonds, or Peach-nut oil, which is produced by the distillation of the pulp of bitter almonds with water, is a powerful poison, and has caused numerous deaths, in consequence of the presence of prussic acid, which is intimately combined with it. Five pounds of almonds are calculated to yield about half-an-ounce of the oil, containing on the average ten per cent. of prussic acid. The liquid called “Almond Flavour,” spirit of almonds, or essence of peach-kernels, is sold to give a pleasant flavour to confectionery. It may be as well to state, writes Dr. Taylor, from whose work the preceding is copied, that one ounce of this almond flavour is, at the lowest computation, equivalent in strength to two hundred and fifty _ grains of the pharmacopceial prussic acid, yet it is entrusted in private families in the hands of ignorant cooks to apportion the dose which may give the requisite flavour to food ! _ Mr. Blyth, ina lecture on Old and Modern Poison Lore, says:—“On an Egyptian papyrus are the words, ‘ Pronounce not the name of I. A. O. under 80 | POISONOUS PLANTS the penalty of the peach.’ As the Egyytians were the first known to have practised distillation, this referred to the formation of prussic acid. The knowledge passed to the Romans, for a knight in the reign of Tiberius, accused of high treason, swallowed poison and fell down dead. No poison but prussic acid, and that in a tolerably concen- trated form, would have this effect.” Dr. Tanner asserts that cases of alarming illness have occurred from eating bitter almonds too freely ; and that the essential oil obtained by distilling the pulp of these almonds into water is a powerful poison! The essence or o7/ of bitter almonds con- — tains about ten per cent. of prussic acid ; and it is probable that from ten to thirty drops would prove 1 Dr. Tanner suggests the following remedies :—Stimu- lating frictions to the chest and abdomen, warmth to the surface, and the application of ammonia to the nostrils. ; Dr. Brunton. gives the following antidotes to poisoning by Prussic Acid:— Alternate cold and warm effusions over the head and neck, to cause a shock (Tanner). Artificial respiration. Injection of atropine (two to four min, liquor _ atropiz) repeated every half-hour. oe For poisoning by Prussic Acid, or Bitter Almonds, etc., Mr. Blyth says :—Use the stomach-pump or tube; or if not at hand, an emetic of mustard or sulphate of zinc. If the breathing has stopped, try artificial respiration aa weak shock to the heart. A brandy enema may be given. The body must be kept warm, but the cold douche may be advantageously applied: to the head. DICOTYLEDONS SI fatal to an adult. Dr. Taylor records many fatal cases from this poisonous oil. CHERRY-LAUREL (Prunus Lauro-cerasus).—lIt is the leaves of this common shrub which are danger- ous, and more so in the autumn than in the spring. It is in the south of Europe where the poison is mostly if not only developed. The custom there of flavouring milk with laurel-leaves has caused injury to infants. More frequently has the distilled laurel-water caused misfortunes when used _ un- advisedly by ignorant practitioners. Dr. Taylor says that laurel-water is a weak solution of prussic acid, containing only about one-— fourth of a grain per cent. of the strong acid, but it is said to be more poisonous than this quantity of acid would indicate. The leaves gathered in wet and cold weather are said to yield more prussic acid than those gathered in hot and dry weather. It is a limpid, colourless liquid, producing in large quantities the usual effects of poisoning by prussic acid. Dr. Taylor says that the late Dr. Paris stated that several children were severely affected by partaking of some custard flavoured with laurel- leaves, and were ill for three days. Half a tea- spoonful of a mixture consisting of four-fifths cherry-laurel water, was given by mistake to an | infant eight months old. It died in a few seconds. _ Noyau and other liqueurs, as_ cherry-ratafia, F 82 POISONOUS PLANTS having the odour of bitter almonds, are to be considered as poisonous when taken in considerable quantity. : Many animals have been poisoned on the Continent by eating the leaves of the cherry- laurel, both sheep and oxen, It is recorded that a bull which had gained a prize (at Rovoretto in Italy) was decorated with a garland of laurel; the bull ate the garland and fell down poisoned on the spot. In England it appears to be much less, if at all, harmful. The present writer’s cows completely ruined a long laurel hedge adjoining the field in which they lived; but this abnormal food did no — harm either to themselves or the milk they produced. This was at Ealing, near London. The kernels of several members of the genus Prunus, as Bird-cherry, Peach, Nectarine, Damson, and Apricot, contain this poison. Thus a child, : aged two, suffered severely in consequence of having eaten ten or twelve kernels of the apricot; — and a child, aged five, died from eating a large © quantity of. the kernels of Gean cherries (Prunus Avium), All the following plants yield, with spires treatment, more or less prussic acid -—Amygdalus communis, Prunus Lauro-cerasus, kernels of plum — (P. domestica); bark, leaves, flowers and fruit al the wild service-tree (P. Pais) ie of thang _ bark and green parts of _ Spirea yield no prussic | ing is the only British _ family :— mao BRYONY (Bryonta DICOTYLEDONS : 83 common cherry and apple; leaves of P. capriceda ; bark of P. virginiana ; flowers and kernels of the sloe (P. spinosa); leaves of P. (Cerasus) aceda ; bark and almost all parts of Sorbus (Pyrus) Aucuparia, hybrida, and torminalis; young twigs of the hawthorn (Crategus Oxyacantha). Leaves and partly also the flowers of the shrubby species of Spzrea, as of S. Aruncus, S. sorbifolia, and S. japonica ; but the herbaceous species of €© acid, MELON FAMILY (Cu- _curbitacee).—The follow- representative of this large and important Fig. 20. Bryonia dioica ; Bryony. dioica, Fig. 20).—It is _ dicecious, the male and female flowers being on different plants. The roots are often of an immense . . -- size, sometimes nearly two feet long, thick as a man’s arm, white, succulent, and fleshy, with an acrid, : bitter, and disagreeable taste. It is occasionally 1 It is also known as White Bryony, Tetter-berries, Wild _ Hops, Wild Vine, and Wild Nep ; the last being the medizval 84 POISONOUS PLANTS offered for sale as the “mandrake,” with which it has nothing to do; as the latter belongs to the Potato Family. The Bryony root is cathartic, sometimes emetic, and causes internal inflammation, being highly irritant. Bruised and applied to the skin, it is capable of producing blisters. The foliage is the same in both, being of lees and pointed rather rough leaves. The plant supports itself by long thread-like tendrils, which as soon as they have caught hold of anything make a number of close coils, some one way; some, about the same number, the other way ; this is to avoid breaking under the strain. The flowers are yellowish-green, the male being | the larger. It consists of a coherent calyx, a coherent corolla, and five stamens united in two separate pairs and one single one. The anthers are “sinuate,” that is taking the form of the letter §. The female flower (on the right in the figure) is © at once recognized by its globular inferior ovary. The corolla is rather smaller than that of the male plant, and has the three stigmas in the middle; each of them is bi-lobed. ok The fruit is a scarlet berry. Entire families have been poisoned from eating the root instead of parsnip, and children from eating the berries. F ifteen berries have been known to produce death = Saati: when death ensued. Rx . DICOTYLEDONS ~ 85 The large root contains a great quantity of starch, which one could easily separate with cold water, when the poisonous juice would beeliminated; just as in preparing tapioca from the very poisonous plant from which it is obtained. It may be added that the fruit of all members of this family contain in the wild state an active principle which must be regarded as being more or less poisonous; especially in the pulp. This is the chief cause of disorders frequently produced by cucumber, melon, etc., in certain habits and constitutions. Under cultivation the principle is so attenuated in the mass of watery cellular tissue that they, of course, become perfectly harmless and delicious fruits. CARROT FAMILY (Umbeliifere)—This is a very large family, showing great uniformity in the structure of the flowers and fruits, as well as in the foliage and roots ; ‘so that many mistakes have s se De OS a i ee RL SR io ae ee, Oe been made by eating poisonous members of the family for harmless ones, for although such plants as the parsnip and carrot, as well as parsley and fennel, are valuable kitchen herbs, others like the Hemlock and Cowbane are notoriously of a dangerous character. Hence it is most important that their distinguishing features should be care- 1 Dr. Tanner recommends emetics to remove the poison of Bryony, unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place. If it has passed into the intestines castor-oil must be given. they constitute the ‘ ‘general involucre.” Those at the base of — 86 POISONOUS PLANTS fully noted. These are mainly to be found in the foliage and fruits. To understand the latter, a careful study of the figures here given, as well as of the living plants themselves, should be made. FOOL’S PARSLEY (thusa Cynapium, Fig. 21).— Fig. 2x. A&thusa Cynapium ; Fool’s Parsley. A small annual weed in gardens and cornfields. eer It has white flowers, with Jong pendulous bracts below them. The fruit has prominent, sharp-edged, a corky ridges. ‘ “ 1 When there are bracts at the base of the primary umbel — the secondary umbels as in this plant form the “ paral Ree ss involucre or involucel. ms DICOTYLEDONS nay sis The accompanying illustration will not only illustrate the Fool’s Parsley, but explain the structure of the flowers of all other members of the Umbellifers, as there is great uniformity, allowing for variations of detail. All the Umbellifers are herbs, often with a thick tap-root like the carrot and parsnip, which belong to the family. The leaves rise from the ground and also from the stem. They generally have divided blades or compound leaves, and in some species they are finely dissected, as of fennel. The stalks more or less sheath the stem at the base. The flowers are clustered together on little pedicels radiating from a terminal point of longer stalks, which again radiate from the main stem. This arrangement is called a compound umbel. The structure of a flower is as follows, as given in - Fig. 21. The complete flower has an_ inferior ovary (Fig. 5 a). The five sepals, which should lie under the five petals, are wanting, The petal tips are inflected (Figs. 2, 3). Five stamens alter-— nate with them. In the centre is seen a two-lobed honey-disk with the two short styles arising between them inthe middle. Hence the petals and stamens appear to rise from the summit of the ovary; but the reader will remember that this is explained by the ovary being invested by an adherent recep- tacular tube, which has carried the petals and — 88 POISONOUS PLANTS . stamens up to the top. The honey-disk is developed out of the top of the ovary. When the petals and stamens have fallen off, the inferior ovary ripens into a fruit (Fig. 5).1 This now develops ridges (Figs. 6-10 a). It then splits in half, that is to say the two carpels separate and remain suspended on a V or Y shaped support (Fig. 7). They finally break away and fall to the ground. Each half (Figs. 7-9) contains one seed (Fig. 11) full of endosperm, in which lies buried a minute embryo (Fig. 11 a, 8). This plant is considered to be less active than * the hemlock, nevertheless it has occasioned more — accidents ; since, so often growing in gardens, its leaves have been taken for parsley and eaten by mistake. . Animals refuse it, and birds which have eaten it have died. It can be distinguished from parsley not merely by the want of the familiar odour of that plant, but by the dark colour of the stem, especially the lower part, and by its disagreeable smell when bruised. Moreover, the colour of the flowers of parsley are yellow, while those of the fool’s 1 The curved styles are not drawn accurately, they should both arise from the middle (just below the num. 5), and the — disks should be represented as two nearly flat semi-circular cushions, extending outwards right and left, to the margins of the ovary. ’ — DICOTYLEDONS 89 parsley are white. Note also the pendulous bracts. The symptoms it produces on man are heat in the mouth and throat, nausea and vomiting ; with headache, giddiness, stupor, convulsions, and lock- jaw. Convulsions and stupor occur in all animals ' poisoned by it. No fatal case appears to be caused from the fool’s parsley before 1845, when a little child ate the roots, which resembled radishes. Sick- ness and a tendency to lockjaw followed, death terminating the seizure in an hour. The leaves have been eaten in soup in the place of parsley | with similar results, death in that case taking place in twenty-four hours, In the numerous cases of poisoning with this plant, by far the majority were not fatal; but in one case the root was boiled in soup under the impression it was parsley. One child who partook _of it died. Other cases have proved that the root contains a very energetic poison. 1 Dr. Tanner recommends emetics, castor-oil and stimu- lants to be resorted to in poisoning by Fools Parsley. Cold affusions will often be found useful, more especially if there be much stupor. Another writer suggests after the poison _ has been ejected, citric or some other vegetable acid should be administered ; besides the celd affusions mentioned, mustard poultices may be applied to the feet ; together with small doses of sulphate of magnesia during the cure. ges wes € fe so 90 POISONOUS PLANTS It may be added that Dr. J. Harley maintains, that having experimented on himself,on others,and on animals with the expressed juice and with the tincture, he found the effects to be entirely negative, Some of the published cases he refers to Hemlock, others to Aconite. } vary greatly according to climate and soil, it is samples that were more or less or quite harmless ; just as bread has been made to test the poisonous properties of Darnel with perfectly innocuous re- sults. Again, he does’ not appear to have used — the living plant itself, It is safer, therefore, Hemlock. tributed to this plant. HEMLOCK (Conzum maculatum, Fig. 22). —This is a tall biennial, growing from three to six feet, or : 2 = more, It has a forked, pale yellow root. The stem is erect, hollow, striated, perfectly smooth, bright green, but mottled with stains or spots of a port- eds wine colour, and covered with a “ bloom” which: is- eee: Since, however, plants — possible that he had | | to believe what has been | Fig. 22. Conium maculatum; otherwise universally at- 4 = > <%. BT DICOTYLEDONS OI easily rubbed off. The leaves are large and compound ; the segments being deeply cut. Each “tooth” is tipped with a minute sharp white point. The fruit has many ridges, as shown in the figure. It is not uncommon in hedges and waste places; and is easily recognized by the above characters, especially the smooth spotted stem, as well as the size of the plant and foliage. The Hemlock was well known to the ancients as poisonous ; and it was the juice of this plant, in all probability, which Socrates was compelled to drink. Like so many other poisonous plants—as the Aconite, Cherry-laurel, etc, it is much more injurious in the hotter countries of South Europe than in the North. Before flowering, the poisonous principle is principally in the foliage, but it becomes less so when the plant is in fruit, as this latter then acquires it, which is more active before being ripe than afterwards. When cut and dried, as in hay, the Hemlock loses much of its poisonous properties, which are vola- tile and easily dissipated. Cooking destroys it; so Pliny observes that it was actually eaten in his day when thus prepared as food. Poisoning of human beings has apparently mostly, if not always, resulted from errors in administering the extract of Hemlock; for its dis- agreeable odour has prevented its use as a vegetable _intheraw state. This has been the cause of mishaps \ nd 4 IC yeaa patie - . _oa is NO: ee PES ena wa . ‘ etre be aS to SS 0, ‘ A, a a Ay tee Shah, psec od a sh 92 POISONOUS PLANTS with other members of the family of Umbellifers. Animals, too, have rarely been poisoned, as they all refuse it. This has only occurred when mixed with other herbage, and especially at spring-time, when they eat with avidity anything green. Some animals appear able to eat the Hemlock — with impunity; thus larks and quails are said to do so in Germany; but their flesh becomes so impreg- nated with the poison, that carnivores which have eaten them have died. On the other hand, ducks have been poisoned by eating the fruits, though thrushes have been observed to eat them with impunity. — The Hemlock of South Europe is much more energetic than that of more northern regions. Nar- cotic effects are said to be felt by those who breathe fora long time air impregnated with the effluvium. That the poisonous property is not destroyed by boiling is proved by a case of two soldiers who collected herbs for boiling with bacon. They par- took of the broth, and then of the herbs and bacon. They died in about three hours. 1 Dr. Brunton gives as antidotes to poisoning by Hemlock— Tannic acid, stimulants, and coffee. Dr. Tanner adds :—Emetics, castor-oil ; cold affusion will often be useful, more especially if there be much stupor. For poisoning by Hemlock, Mr. Blyth recommends -emetics of sulphate of zinc or mustard. Keep up the temperature of the body by hot wraps. Administer strong tea, or any harmless vegetable decoction containing tannin, Stimulants may be given. If necessary, use artificial — respiration. / involucre nor involucel. DICOTYLEDONS 2: ge CELERY (Apium graveolens).—The wild plant is also called Smallage. It is acrid,and should not be eaten ; but it loses all deleterious properties, or rather does not develop them, when it is blanched under cultivation. In Malta it is always used green for flavouring soups, etc. The wild plant has a very strong smell of celery, and can often be detected by the odour, even at some distance off. It is more com- mon near the _ sea, though it occurs byditches inland. ; It is a plant with no very marked feature by which it can be distin- guished, except the fami- liar smell of celery when bruised, and its umbels have neither a general Fig. Piper iat eat ic WATER-HEMLOCK, or COWBANE (Cicuta virosa). —This is a tall-growing plant, with long, narrow serrated segments to the compound leaves. . The flowers are white. There is no general involucre; but an involucel of many bracts is present. The fruit has five scarcely prominent ridges. It fre- quents watery places, as marshes and ditches. It SSS ee ee 5 to ae A Bed ere = im, Pee Pars is i a Tay “ eae. ty ‘y OS itt Fae ee | 94. POISONOUS PLANTS has a white, fleshy root, containing a yellow juice. The stem is hollow. BESS It is regarded as being the most poisonous of the Umbellifers. The thick root has been the occasion of fatal results when eaten instead of parsnip or celery. Animals only very exceptionally have been poisoned by it; though it has been stated that - both sheep and goats can eat it without being seriously inconvenienced. As an instance, two men died near Sunderland by eating the roots when they were at work. Both were found unconscious and paralyzed. Several cases of children having eaten the root and died are on record. In one case castor-oil in the form of an enema saved the life of the child. _ ‘ WATER-DROPWORT (Cinanthe crocata, Fig. 24). —This is a tall plant, from three to five feet in height. It has a channelled, hollow stem, com-— pound leaves, with much-divided leaflets. The segments are rather broad, wedge-shaped, and © lobed. The fruit is narrow, oblong (see figure), = The ridges are not very prominent. Wes The plant bears from five or more spindle-shaped fleshy roots of a pale yellow colour, mixed with fibrous ones. They contain a milky and very — a4 1 Dr. Tanner prescribes for poisoning by Water-Hemlock, emetics, castor-oil, and stimulants. Cold affusion will often be useful, more especially if there be much stupor. Ge 8 2H . , ce < xy Sate ' DICOTYLEDONS 95 poisonous juice, which becomes yellowish on . drying. Every year men and animals are poisoned on the Continent, and not infrequently here also, by their inadvertently eating the roots of this plant. The leaves have been eaten instead of celery, and the roots instead of par- snips. Cattle have been poison- ed by eating the plants _ thrown upon the land when the ditches have been cleared out. It is said they eat them without repugnance, domestication having weakened _ their instinct. _ All parts of the plant ‘are poisonous, but the roots are much more so than the stem and leaves. 3 ee CSCS Cys Bie Sea waoanpan ea poison in some degree, : and cooking weakens it still more, but does not eliminate it altogether. Of animals, though all _ kinds are poisoned by it, carnivores are less sus- - ‘ceptible to the action than the herbivorous. sas A writer records how a number of convicts work- _ ing near Woolwich came across a quantity of the ma a — LD ||) ee 96 POISONOUS PLANTS Water-Dropwort, and thinking it closely resembled parsnips, seventeen of them ate it. Shortly after, nine went into convulsions; six of them died within a few hours. In one case the quantity taken did not exceed the top of the finger in size. The symptoms were insensibility, tetanus, delirium, and insanity. The behaviour of persons poisoned is described as being like “ay those of delirium tremens. SW The voot is considered to “8 be the most active part of ENS \ ~ the plant; it is described Bad as being not unpleasant seh, to the taste ; but a very a> eV, v. small portion of it, unless celia) ae speedily ejected by an SES S a emetic, will suffice to Sy destroy life. oe ee \ Vf ‘i G. Ph-Uandrium (Fig. 25) is also an aquatic plant, growing in ponds and ditches. The leaves have finely - divided Fig. 25. (Enanthe Phellandrium. segments, and those submerged, as is so generally — ; the case, almost thread- or fennel-like, Though poisonous, its deleterious principle is less at spring-time than later in the season; so. that cattle can browse upon it with impunity ; ; ‘but it is injurious to horses, a DICOTYLEDONS 97 C. fistulosa (Fig. 26) is also aquatic. It has a - mixture of slender and fleshy roots. The leaves are much arrested with few, narrow segments and hollow petioles (see the figure). The sepals of the flower are unusually large _ (see figure); as in most umbellifers they are quite AN ! y Wa rudimentary. \\ Re ae AS ie SS e Ne . . > ° 2. TN a SHES This species is poison- Ni RINE RTE ous; but it is only ex- ceptionally that animals have eaten it spontan- eously.! _Though the above species are very danger- ous, yet one, @. pzmpinel- loides, a rare plant in England but commoner abroad, has roots which -areeaten. They are full ¥ of starchy matter with Fig. 26. CE&nanthe fistulosa ; Common the flavour of filberts, and erecta _ were formerly sold at Angers and other continental markets. It is said, however, that when wild they . are not so harmless as when cultivated. INW 1 Dr. Tanner recommends for poisoning by species of Gnanthe or Water-Dropwort, emetics, castor-oil, and stimu- lants. Cold affusions will often be useful, more especially if _ there be much stupor. ; e = 98 POISONOUS PLANTS ae WATER-PARSNIP (Szum Jlatifolium, Fig. 27)— — This umbellifer occurs in watery places all over the British Isles., The root of this, as well as of the only other species we possess (.S. angustifolium), — is reputed deleterious; but pigs and oxen eat — the stem without apparent inconvenience. Still it is important neverthe- Ged ey less not to allow cows in | AS |, milk to eat it, as it com- | EN) Pw, municates a disagreeable 100 POISONOUS PLANTS 3 ie charged with dew, were employed to root up — plants of the hogweed in a certain park. Nearly all of them experienced the same, or the next : day, a sensation of intense heat in the left arm and about the wrist. An inflammation like erysipelas developed itself accompanied by sores, which prevented them from working for nearly three weeks. Some beasts which ate the up- rooted plants suffered internal irritation. The left arm being injured is explained by the workmen having torn up the plants with their right hand, and then laid them across the left arm. It was observed that the workmen who began their work early, suffered much more seriously than the later arrivals, when the sun had dissipated the dew. ! | 5y Looking for the cause of Panazsze,it has been suggested that it is the essential oil; that during the day this oil evaporates as it is formed; butin a misty morning, without sun, in a meadow | charged with dew, it is condensed instead of a being volatilized; then being dissolved in Oa dew which covers the plant, this acquires the - irritating property which gives rise to the complaint. — | The Ivy FAaMILy (Aratzacee). St Ivy (Hedera Helix).—This is our only a ative, and is too well known to need | fe DICOTYLEDONS IOI cases have been known of their suffering from eating them. They prove to be very emetic and purgative, etc., producing more or less inflamma- tion in the digestive canal. The berries contain a very bitter principle, apparently somewhat akin to quinine. They are, however, largely eaten by wood-pigeons, blackbirds, and thrushes, DIVISION III COROLLA, WITH THE PETALS COHERENT =! ELDER FAMILY (Caprifolzace@). “ate, COMMON ELDER (Sambucus nigra).—This is a Fee tree or shrub familiar to all. It has compound _ Ee pinnate leaves like those of the ash-tree, and flat- topped “corymbs” of numerous yellowish-white — flowers. ‘ae A close examination will reveal an inferior ovary, 23 five points on the top of it represent the calpaie the corolla has the petals coherent and the eae ; to it. Three minute stigmas reveal the fact hates “g there are three carpels. The style is swollen ane . a conical fleshy mass as the organ for secreting honey. :: ee Be. * me 3 There are several uses to which the elder i is put, but in only one or two particulars can it be re : garded 3 as deleterious. _ Thus, while Elder flowers, 102 accident has been re- DICOTYLEDONS 103 wine, yet an infusion made from the leaves is fatal to insects, so that some gardeners use a strong infusion to preserve delicate plants from insects and caterpillars. The young leaf-buds are very purgative, and are somewhat dangerous in con- sequence. The bark, too, is violently cathartic. The juice of the root, taken as a supposed remedy _ for a bilious attack, proved fatal in the case of a woman ; and the leaves have caused severe irritant - poisoning in a child. _ DwaArF ELDER, or DANE-WORT (Sambucus Ebu- lus) is a somewhat local species, and sub-herbace- ous rather than being a woody plant. It produces black shiny berries. It has a strong odour which repels animals. Al- _ though the root, bark, and leaves possess. violently purgative properties, no corded from misuse of these parts. Fig. 28. Sambucus Ebulus; Dwarf The berries, equally pur- aa gative, rarely tempt children because of the odour of the plant. They have, however, been fraudu- lently used for colouring wine, to which they _ impart their deleterious properties. 104 POISONOUS PLANTS Turkeys have been known to suffer from eating © the berries. Drying weakens the activity of the deleterious principle, but does not completely destroy it. DAIsy FAMILY (Composite).—This family is often called Composites, because instead of having separate flowers, the so-called “flower” is really composed of innumerable “ florets,’ often of two kinds. Those in the middle of the “head”—say a daisy—have yellow corollas with a five-toothed border. These are called “ disk-florets,’ while those on the circumference have a narrow strap- shaped or “ligulate” corolla. These form “ray” florets. | In some plants the ray is wanting, as in the minute heads of Wormseed, and Wormwood of the genus Artemisia. In one section a// the florets are ‘alilees and © “lisulate.” This is the case with the dandelion - and lettuce. The enormous family of Composites possesses very few poisonous kinds. We have only two to be mentioned of English plants. WORMSEED (Artemisia maritima).—The com- « - monest species of this genus is Mugwort (A. vul- — ae garis), while the old-fashioned garden plant (A. A brotanum) is known as Southernwood. A.Dracun- — ae 1 For poisoning by E/ders, Dr. Tanner recommends the os 3 same treatment as for Bryony. Note, p. 85. DICOTYLEDONS 105 culus is the herb Taragon. And Wormwood (A. Absinthium) flavours absinthe. The species are often bitter; some Eastern kinds were the Worm- wood of Scripture. The species first mentioned is a native of mari- time saline districts, and i sl. ip wie ij J. 4a 2 Ws = na f)/ \, Ay & yy possesses -a_ principle called Santonzn, which is included in our British Pharmacopceia. The minute flower- heads, for it is a member of the Composite family, are a popular remedy for certain infantile com- plaints, and have often been administered unad- visedly with fatal results, _ but in small proportions, viz. two in eighteen, si Fig. 29. Lactuca virosa, var. Scari- eleven per cent. ola; Wild Lettuce. It has the remarkable effect of affecting the sight, making everything to appear yellow; and this effect may last twenty-four hours. This yellowness is preceded by a violet hue in some cases. : WILD LETTUCE (Lactuca virosa)—This has a milky juice like that of the dandelion. It is an annual, frequenting waste stony places, and is 106 POISONOUS PLANTS © from one to two feet high. Another species, ac- ; cording to some botanists, Z. Scariola, has erect —=— leaves, with deeply-cut lobes; but Mr.Bentham unites rs the two. It is the origin of the garden lettuce. 25 gas Tere : Rg oy Oe te re 9 FP als Le . In the wild state it exhales adisagreeable odour, so that animals will not touch it. But it has no sa % very active properties. ero. It was thought that the milky juice was the same = re as in poppies, but analyses can trace neither mor- phine nor narcotine, which is characteristic of the ea opium poppy. The principle is peculiar to this : . amen. ale plant, and is called Lactucine. oe. It isto this that the lettuce owes its narcotic Beste . * . . : ee, ea properties ; but no case is known of any poisoning S. by Lactucarium or “Lettuce opium” as the in- e ° . e . —~ ~ beet spissated milky juice is called. It has a weak nae narcotic action when given in doses of from five —_ a to twenty grains. Two grains will cause headache and somnolency in some persons; so that it has been recommended as a substitute for opium, as it is not followed by the injurious effects of that drug. a a It has had the credit of being a poisonous plant ; but it would seem that its deleterious properties — have been somewhat exaggerated. eae LOBELIA FAMILY (Lodeliacee).—Lobelias are 1 Dr. Tanner knew of no case of poisoning in 1862. Should such occur, emetics and full doses of castor-oil might be given. ~ by some botanists included in the Campanula or _Canterbury-bell family. They differ by having irregular flowers. The ovary is two-celled and inferior. The calyx consists of five pointed sepals on the summit of the inferior ovary ; the corolla, instead of having its petals coherent into the bell-shaped structure of Canterbury-bells, has it split down the posterior side, to allow the stamens to pass through it. These have their anthers united into a tube, and not free as in Campanula. The style is provided with a tuft of hairs just below the two flap-like stigmas, which are at first pressed together. The use of this contrivance is to sweep out the pollen ‘as the style passes up the anther-tube. Having done this the stigmas separate. It is then ready for the visits of insects. ‘Like the Campanulas, Lobelias have a milky juice. In both it is remarkably bitter and acrid, but while the former are not regarded as poisonous _ —Indeed one species of Campanula called Rampion was cultivated for its thick tuberous roots, which are milky and eaten in salads—the Lobelias are dangerously poisonous. We have only two species of Lobelia to represent the family in England. LOBELIA (L. Dortmanna and urens)—Of these two British species, the former occurs in lakes in Wales, and the latter is found near Axminster. - But numerous species from America are in cultiva- DICOTYLEDONS 107 108 POISONOUS PLANTS \ a A ee «a fe ts tion; the most familiar is perhaps the little blue- flowered plant used for bedding in summer, JZ. Erinus, from the Cape of Good Hope. Lobelias have avery acrid milky juice. If taken internally, it provokes symptoms analogous to those ~ produced by Belladonna, as it contains Atropzne. Hence the specific name wrens, “burning.” Its action is said to be very much like that of tobacco, only differing in the greater intensity of the local burning sensations. Disastrous results have fol- lowed the misuse of the drug obtained from an American species, by incompetent persons. The species used in medicine is known as “Indian Tobacco” (LZ. zuflata). It is a native of North America; and its powdered leaves and seeds have been employed as a remedy for asthma. In one instance—writes Dr. Tanner—a quack pre- 7 scribed a drachm of the leaves which produced ey pain, vomiting, and unconsciousness, death follow- ing in thirty-six hours. Ignorant impostors, calling themselves medical botanists, have poisoned several simple individuals, both in England and America, by physicking them with this mischievous and ei powerful drug. The seeds are equally poisonous! a 1 Dr. Tanner adds that the stomach-pump or emetics must , ate be employed. If the effects are not very severe, they will , generally cease spontaneously. Dr. Brunton’s antidotes to poisoning by Lobelia are, a purgative; demulcents; stimulants; tannin; strychnine, hypodermically (5 mins. liq. strych.). . DICOTYLEDONS 109 HEATH FAMILY (Ericacee)—This is a large family, and divided into tribes by botanists. One supplies the bilberry, whortleberry, and cranberry, which bear edible fruit. Another includes the heaths and ling ; but the only one which calls for attention is that which contains the common Garden Rhododendrons and Azaleas. In the flowers of these plants the calyx is almost entirely wanting; just a rudiment with five little points remains. The corolla is somewhat irre- gular, and having the posterior petal spotted. Such spots and streaks in flowers are regarded as “suides” or “path-finders” to insects, to lead them to find the exact position of the honey- glands. The stamens, five or ten, are “declinate,” that is, they first bend downwards and then up- wards, in order to bear the weight of the insect which alights upon them, since there is no petal | exactly in front for them to stand upon. Contrary to the usual rule—that when the petals are coherent, the stamens may be expected to be adherent to the corolla-tube—the stamens are quite free from the corolla, arising directly from the floral receptacle. The pistil has five coherent carpels, forming a capsule when in fruit. : RHODODENDRON (Rhododendron, sp.).—Numer- ous species and hybrids of this genus are in culti- vation, as well as others of the same tribe (Rho- ST oe > * ie: Se eS ot, oF . Wr x4 110 . POISONOUS PLANTS Ses, doree). They all possess acrid narcotic properties. ; Thus 2. chrysanthum, a small shrub of Siberia, has stimulant and narcotic virtues. The leaves are used in infusion for rheumatism in Siberia. AR. Jerrugineum of the Alps resembles it in its properties. The sub-genus Azalea has a species (A. Pontica) which is possessed of highly narcotic properties. | It has been suggested that it was the honey of ny this plant which caused so much destruction in ae Xenophon’s army in the retreat of the Ten Thousand. It is said that the honey collected © from this plant has the same effect on the system as Darnel (Lolium temulentum). It grows abun-— dantly in Asia Minor and in the neighbourhood of — : the Black Sea; and it is stated that goats which eat the leaves suffer in consequence, and that it is S fatal to cattle and sheep. ee Kalmia latifolia is frequently grown in shrub- beries, the flower of which is remarkable for having the stamens bent down and thrust into little pockets in the corolla. It is one of the most _ ee: dangerous of the whole family. It is found all over the United States, and is there called Mountain _ #3 Laurel. The leaves are narcotic and poisonous, __ Death has occurred from eating the flesh of par- = tridges and pheasants which have fed on them— presumably the buds or seeds—during the winter. _ Similarly the flesh of hares which have been eee i ~ DICOTYLEDONS III feeding on &. chrysanthum has been considered to be poisonous. Ledum palustre (of Europe) and ZL. latifolium (of N. America) are two species of small shrubs, and grown in gardens, They can scarcely be called poisonous plants; indeed the second is called _ Labrador Tea, as the leaves are used for an in- fusion ; but still, the leaves of both species when infused in beer render it very “heady,” and cause headache, nausea, and even delirium ; showing that they contain some deleterious principle. PRIVET FAMILY (Oleace@).—The only members of this family, natives of Great Britain, are the Privet and the Ash-tree ; but the Lilac, Phillyrea, and Jessamine (if this last be included, as some botanists place it) are. familiar garden flowering shrubs, all having opposite leaves. The calyx has four coherent sepals; the corolla has four coherent petals. There are only two stamens adherent to the corolla and a pistil of two coherent carpels. The latter forms a berry in the privet, a stone-fruit or “drupe” in the Olive, a bursting capsule in the Lilac, and a winged inde- hiscent fruit called a “samara” in the Ash. This ic tree: 1S remarkable for having no calyx or corolla, only the two stamens and pistil; sometimes each is alone, thus forming male and female flowers; sometimes they are together. | PRIVET (Ligustrum vulgare).—This is not e shia Sats re a ai . * ise i , a es _ i&Il2 POISONOUS PLANTS D generally regarded as a poisonous shrub; but Dr. Taylor records a case in which three children ate the small black berries of this bush. They suffered from violent purging. A boy and a girl died, but the third child, also a girl, recovered, as she had only tasted, but had not apparently swallowed any, or at all events enough to harm her. PRIMROSE FAMILY (Primulacee)—Taking a primrose or cowslip as a type of this family, the structure of the flower is as follows. The calyx has five sepals coherent into a tube. So has the corolla. The five stamens are situated zz front of the petals. This is so unusual that it calls for an explanation. The law of alternation between the positions of the whorls signifies that a whorl of stamens has been suppressed between the corolla and the existing whorl ; so that the parts may be represented thus :— 5. Se 5. S: Di Gee ue ee om where S. stands for sepals ; P. for petals ; * arrested ‘ stamens; St. existing stamens, and C. for carpels, — -) C- In the primrose and cowslip the stamens and pistils are “dimorphic,” that is, of different lengths DICOTYLEDONS Meet 3 in the flowers of different plants, forming the popular distinction of thrum-eyed and pin-eyed. ‘The anthers of the stamens are situated high up in one and low down the corolla-tube in the other kind of flower ; the pistils have the lengths of their styles correspondingly graduated, so that they are adapted for being crossed. This arrangement does not exist in all species of primrose, nor is it in all other genera of this family. Under cultivation and certain circum- stances in the wild state, the stamens and style may be of the same length in the same flower, though such be normally dimorphic. PIMPERNEL, or POOR MAN’S WEATHER-GLASS (Anagallis arvensis).—T his is too smalla plant to be eaten in any quantity by animals ; but experiences abroad have shown that it certainly contains in- jurious properties, which neither drying nor boiling destroys. It is said that some horses were killed at Lyons by means of it. It has also caused cage-birds to die from their having eaten it when given to them in mistake for chickweed. This plant hada reputation for curing hydrophobia, but no such property is really attached to it. It is said that sheep refuse to eat it. An extract made from it is very powerful and poisonous. CYCLAMEN (Cyclamen sp.).—We have one species of this plant which has established itself in woods in Kent and Sussex. The cultivated species is H II4 POISONOUS PLANTS known as C. Persicum. It forms a large globular — tuber, which in Sicily is eaten by swine ; hence it was formerly called Sowbread. In a fresh state it is acrid and bitter ; but when dried its acridity is diminished, and when roasted it becomes perfectly harmless. It acts as a violently drastic purgative, and isemetic. It is sometimes used, but often with serious results, accompanied by internal inflam- mation and even terminating in death. It is singular, writes Dr. Hogg, in addition to the pre-— ceding details, that while pigs can eat any quantity — of the tubers with impunity, the juice acts asa poison on small fish, if mixed with the water in which they are, in the very small proportion of Tin 3000. The active properties reside in a principle — called Cyclamine, a powerful poison, producing effects similar to those of Woorari, which the — Indians of Rio Negro use for poisoning their arrows. CONVOLVULUS FAMILY (Convolvulace@)—The members of this family are mostly climbers ; but when a genus has species of which some live in shady woods, the other in hot, dry deserts, the — former climb, but the latter do not; such habits — being adaptations to two very different conditions _ of environment. The form of the corolla is like the mouth of oe trumpet, and various kinds of convolvulus must be familiar to all. DICOTYLEDONS 115 They generally have a milky juice and an acrid taste, so that cattle will not touch them. Pigs have been known to eat the roots of the white- flowered hedge convolvulus, with bad results. In fact all of our three wild species, the one men- tioned, the Lesser Bindweed, and the Calystegza of our sandy sea-shores, have all an actively cathartic principle. It may be added that the popular remedy “Jalap” is the root of a Mexican species, deriving its name from the town Xalapa. On the other hand, the Sweet Potato largely imported from Spain before the true potato was introduced in the sixteenth century, is another member of the family (Latatas edulis), the name giving rise to “potato,” which belongs to a totally _ different family. One genus called Dodder (Cuscuta) is parasitic, resembling yellow threads bearing globular tufts of flowers ; it is frequent on gorse, clover, etc. The species partake of the same properties as Con- volvulus. | POTATO FAMILY (So/anace@).— Four genera repre- sent this family in Great Britain, a// of them being poisonous ; viz. Henbane, Deadly Nightshade or Belladonna, Woody Nightshade, and the Black- fruited Solanum. The Thorn-apple was introduced from North America. _ Woopby NIGHTSHADE, or BITTERSWEET (So/a- 116 POISONOUS PLANTS Sie te num Dulcamara).—This is a familiar plant, scramb- ling or climbing over our hedges, with single or trifoliate, oval leaves. Clusters of purple flowers arise from a point in the stem above a leaf, and not as usual from its axil. There is a small calyx of five coherent sepals; a corolla of five coherent petals carrying the five adherent stamens, The anthers are sub-coherent, forming a cone and dehisce by terminal pores. The pistil of two carpels becomes an oval scarlet berry. There is a deleterious principle called Solanzne, ; which is found in all the species of Solanum. As it occurs in the stem and leaves of the Bittersweet ; —this name being derived from the taste of the stem, being at first bitter, followed by a sweetish __ flavour—these parts must be regarded as suspicious ; a indeed, they have been proved to have narcotic properties, producing giddiness and sickness when eaten. With regard to the berries, there is no doubt that they are very harmful. Two childrendieda __ short time ago near Birmingham who had been eating a variety of berries, including the poisonous ay ones of Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum),and also those of the Woody Nightshade. Moreover, evidence of the presence of the poisonous Principle 9 Solanine was detected. Solanine is especially connected with the green __ parts; so that even if the ripe berries proved — c DICOTYLEDONS tee innocuous in some cases, as has been asserted, children and others would very probably suffer if they ate them at all green. The principle acts aS an acro-narcotic poison. It is retained in the - British Pharmacopceia, but apparently not often employed. BLACK SOLANUM (Solanum nigrum).—This is a small annual plant, about one foot to eighteen inches high, and is often a troublesome weed in ill-kept gardens, if allowed to scatter its purple- black, globular berries. It exhales a disagreeable odour. Solanine exists in the fruits. Children have suffered by eating them on the Continent, though they are sometimes harmless to adults, at least in this country, as Solanine is not very abundant in the stem and leaves, which had no effect upon a horse. Three children are recorded as having eaten the berries of the Black Solanum, and suffered from vertigo, dilated pupils, nausea, colic, stertorous breathing, and convulsions. POTATO (Solanum tuberosum).—The potato plant contains the same principle, Solanine ; which, since it is mostly in connection with green parts or _ chlorophyll, potatoes which have been insufficiently covered and become green, should never be eaten, 1 Dr. Tanner says :—To prevent a fatal result from Hen- bane or Nightshade, we must trust to emetics and full doses of castor-oil. 118 POISONOUS PLANTS ' bs > The tubers contain it least of all the parts of the el plant; and when potatoes are boiled, the dele- terious principle is not destroyed, but passes out ae into the water. a No injury to man has ever been recorded facae oF the Solanine of potato plants; for it is only the harmless and useful tubers that are eaten. The skins, which contain the most of it, are peeled off. Fo On the other hand, accidents with animals are not at all uncommon. Cattle have suffered most, a and even dogs have suffered when fed exclusively _ ” on potatoes. Cows will eat raw potatoes, some- = times given under the impression that it increases the milk; but they have been known to suffer in consequence; as also by the foliage when given a to them in times of scarcity of forage. me. AUBERGINE (Solanum Melongena).—As in pota- _ a toes, the same principle is associated with chloro- — phyll; so the purple fruits only of this plant should be eaten, and all half-ripe or green ones avoided. as Besides the species mentioned, others are often _ cultivated, and are probably more or less dangerous. _ There is one which becomes a tree on the Continent, : and is not infrequently grown in conservatories, — popularly known abroad as Trompette du Jugement. « The Egg-plant, Mad-apple or Jew’s-apple (So/a- — num esculentum) is a native of the East Indies, and sometimes cultivated. It produces a fruit the: Ses - DICOTYLEDONS I1g size and form of a hen’s egg, generally white. They are used in the South of Europe raw or cooked ; Fig. 30. Atropa Belladonna; Deadly Nightshade. but if eaten in excess are described as producing injurious effects. _ : DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (Aévopa Belladonna, Fig. 3 30).—This is a perennial herb, between three and 120° «4 POISONOUS PLANTS | four feet in height, branching with rather large leaves finely pubescent or downy, oval and pointed. The flower has a tubular corolla of a purplish-blue colour. The rather large berries are shining and ~ black, when ripe (see figure). The Belladonna is very poisonous ; the berries, which are intensely sweet, having caused many mishaps among children ; though of all its parts the berries are the least rich in active principles, as compared with the roots, which are the most active ; and the stem, leaves, and flowers, which take an intermediate position. Drying does not destroy the poisonous properties. Men and animals suffer alike from the Belladonna, but in different degrees. Man is most susceptible, after him are the cat, bird, and dog; the horse is less affected by it. The pig, goat, sheep, and rabbit are but little sensible to its action ; but only in consequence of a more rapid elimination of the poison. . The same remark applies to Cytzstne of the Laburnum. An adult person has eaten two or three berries without injury, but beyond that dangerous symp- toms are experienced; but it has been recorded that, on one occasion, a fatal result did not follow the consumption of thirty berries. Fortunately if the principle is of itself an emetic. oP + . DICOTYLEDONS eras The effect of this plant, writes Mr. Johnson, is peculiar in causing, first great excitement, and afterwards stupefaction and death. The pupil of the eye is usually much dilated. A remarkable case of poisoning occurred in 1806, when the berries were sold in London as edible fruits by some ignorant dealers. Two persons who partook of them died, and others narrowly escaped. It was probably the Belladonna which proved disastrous to some troops under Mark Antony as described by Plutarch. He says that those who sought for herbs obtained few that they were accustomed to eat, and in tasting unknown plants they found one which caused insanity and death. He that had eaten thereof immediately lost all memory and knowledge; but at the same time would busy himself in turning and moving every stone he met with, as if he were engaged in some very important pursuit. The camp was filled with unhappy men bending to the ground, and digging up and removing stones, till at last they were carried off by a bilious vomiting, when wine, the only remedy, was not at hand. In modern times it is reported that one hundred and fifty soldiers suffered from the ill effects of this plant in the early part of last century. Dr. Tanner observes that there is often a dis- position to laugh and talk loudly, to have fanciful delusions, with a difficulty of walking ; symptoms 122 POISONOUS PLANTS 7 ee ae : somewhat resembling those of poisoning by the <-> mandrake, another species of the same genus. acd Mr. Blyth says that the Deadly Nightshade contains not only its own poisonous principle, Atropine, which is the same as that of the Thorn- apple, Daturine, but Hyoscyamine as well, character- istic of the Henbane. The young roots contain the last only, while the older have Atropine in addition. The ripe berries contain both, if culti- vated, but the wild berries have only Atropine. ms The seeds are very small, kidney-shaped, covered with small, round projections. Mr. Blyth gives statistics of poisoning by Atropine for ten years ending 1892. The total number was seventy-nine, Twenty-nine were suicidal, the rest accidental,and almost invariably the result of mistakes in phar- eet; macy. It is children alone who have eaten the % berries of Belladonna, and leaves or seeds of Thorn-apple.! pe The late Dr. B. W. Richardson considered the drug administered to Juliet was Mandragora, ~ allied to our Deadly Nightshade ; as, contrary to jv 1 Dr. Brunton gives as antidotes to poisoning by Belladonna and also by Thorn-apple (Datura Stramonium), stimulants — and coffee; inject caffeine subcutaneously; arouse from ert stupor, as in opium poisoning; and, if necessary, artificial — ie respiration. Dr. Tanner suggests the use of emetics and purgatives to free the intestine. Mr. Blyth, besides these,adds anenema of coffee. Hot water to the feet and alternate donee. oe Rea cold and hot water are found useful. ; Rene er ey DICOTYLEDONS 123 the usual descriptions of the actions of poisons by’ _ Shakespeare, which, he noted, are generally wrong, that of the Mandrake is correct. It was used as. a narcotic anesthetic by the ancients, for patients undergoing amputations, and not discarded until the fifteenth century. A wine was made from it called “ Morion.” The Mandragora was taken by some people, as many do opium now, and they were called Mandragor- ates. In the period of their recovery from the intoxi- cation they © shrieked. Shakespeare, however, refers to the popular mis- apprehension that it was “the root which shricked when drawn out of the ground, : THORN-APPLE (Datura Stramonium, Fig. 31).— This is a North American plant, but is often found wild on waste ground. . A variety with purple Fig x. Datura Stramonium ; Thorn- flowers called D. Tatula aby. is sometimes cultivated. They are large plants, but annuals, much branchingin a forked manner. The leaves are large, with a wavy and toothed margin; the flowers are three inches long, white, with a folded =- 124 POISONOUS PLANTS and only half-opened corolla. Unlike the preceding members of the Potato family, this and the Hen- bane have capsules and not berries. The Thorn- apple derives its name from the fruit being covered with spines. When ripe it bursts into four valves, leaving a large central structure upon which are several black rough seeds. The whole plant is poisonous, but the seeds are the most active ; neither drying nor boiling destroys the poisonous properties. Among human beings the greater number of accidents have occurred among children who have ~ eaten the half-ripe seeds, which have a sweetish taste. | Browsing animals refuse to eat the Thorn-apple, being repelled by its disagreeable odour and nauseous taste. The stem and leaves dried and smoked form a popular remedy for asthma ; but their employment is dangerous and doubtfully remedial. It is said that the priests of Delphi used either this or some other species of Datura to produce their semi-delirious paroxysms, believed by the populace as being of divine inspiration. It is thought to act more powerfully on the brain than Belladonna, and to produce greater delirium.? - HENBANE (yoscyamus niger, Fig. 32). —Thisis 1 The same remedies are recommended as for Belladonna ade or Deadly Nighishade, note, p. 122. DICOTYLEDONS 125 an annual, which, like the Thorn-apple, frequents waste grounds. It grows about a foot in height, is densely hairy and sticky. The leaves are large Fig. 32. Hyoscyamus niger ; Henbane. and deeply indented. The corolla is ofa yellowish colour, and has the veins pencilled of a_ violet tint. The form is funnel-shaped. The capsule is 126 POISONOUS PLANTS embedded in the persistent calyx (see central figure), and dehisces by means of a lid,or what is calleda“ circumscissile” manner. It has numerous very poisonous seeds. ea The -whole plant is characterized by a very 86. “heavy,” nauseous odour. It is poisonous in all — its parts ; and neither drying nor boiling destroys ae its noxious properties. Be oS Having a thick root, this has been eaten instead ieee of parsnips and chicory; and children have - eaten the seeds. Asa rule no animal willtouch the plant ; but cows have been poisoned by having si the Henbane mixed with their forage, it is said for the purpose of fattening them. A small quantity of the seeds of the Stramonium, as well as of Hyoscyamus, are sometimes added. The idea appears to be that the tendency to stupor and repose a caused by these plants is conducive to fattening. In the case of man, twenty seeds were insuffi- — 5 cient to prove fatal, though they induced grave SS a results. The effects are the same as in | poisoning ee by Atropine of Belladonna.t a It is recorded that the whole of the inmates Bae: of a monastery were poisoned by using the root _ the autumn, the maximum amount being in early September. Climate has a great influence on its production, as well as the nature of the soil and the manures applied. Sandy soils with a clay 1 Dr. Tanner observes that to prevent a fatal result from the use of //endane, we must trust to emetics and full doses of castor-oil. | — "— 4% . eek - 128 POISONOUS PLANTS subsoil appear to induce the production of the most nicotine, as the leaves become thicker under these conditions. Drying does not remove the deleterious proper- ties. Nicotine is regarded as one of the most active and dangerous poisons known. The principal cause of accidents on the Continent has been the injudicious use of lotions of the juice of tobacco for the destruction of parasites; and the practice of chewing it. A similar usage of lotion for cattle has proved injurious, especially when it has been applied all over the animal ; and if there be any abrasions on the skin, then the nicotine is rapidly absorbed at such lesions, and alarming symptoms follow. The goat, though usually omnivorous, refuses to eat tobacco-leaves ; but the ox, on the other hand, is said to delight in it, especially when dry, and has been poisoned, having been attracted to it by the odour, as the following case shows. A peasant — in the South of France hid some tobacco under straw in a shed, and his ox discovering it, ate the © tobacco, and died the same day. © Another remarkable instance of tobacco-poison- 45 ing occurred some years ago in France. A man who attempted to smuggle tobacco into France, wrapped the leaves all about his body under his clothing. The weather being hot, and having ge! to walk some distance, he was thrown into a A aoe ro. ~ Sa ‘a . - ae ¥ DICOTYLEDONS 129 violent perspiration. The consequence was that an absorption of the poisonous property of the tobacco-leaves took place. He was taken seri- ously ill on the way, discovered by the Custom- house officers, and subsequently died. _ Tobacco for smoking was introduced into Europe about 1560, Jean Nicot (whence the name Nicotiana) having sent the seeds to Catherine de Medici. It did not come into general knowledge till 1586; when Sir Walter Raleigh, as well as the settlers who returned from Virginia, introduced it into England. Tobacco met with a determined opposition from European governments, who attempted to restrain its use by penal enactments. In Turkey all found cuilty of smoking were condemned to death. In Moscow the knout was the punishment for the first, and death for the second offence. In other parts of Russia smokers had their noses cut off. More than a hundred books were published in condemnation of tobacco. The following is a specimen of King James’s Counterblaste against the use of tobacco :— “ Now to the corrupted baseness of the first use of this Tobacco, doeth very well agree the foolish and groundlesse first entry thereof into this king- dome ; it was neither brought in by king, great _ conqueror, nor learned doctor of physicke. With _ the reporte of a great discovery for a conqueste, 130 POISONOUS PLANTS - some two or three savage men were brought in, _ together with this savage custom, but the pitye is, the poore wild barbarous died, but that the vile barbarous custom is yet alive, yea, in fresh vigour. Surely smoke becomes a kitchen farre better than a dining chamber, and yet it makes a kitchen oftentimes in the inward parts of men, soyling and infecting them with an unctuous and oyly kind of soote, as hath been found in some great tobacco takers that after their death were opened.” Ze With all his earnest and sincere attempts to stop smoking, King James does not appear to have succeeded. ; Mr. Burnett wrote that it is supposed that the — “juice of cursed hebenon,” by which, according to Shakespeare, the King of Denmark was porns was the essential oil of tobacco :— *“‘ Sleeping within mine orchard, My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, eater With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, “ea And in the porches of mine ear did pour ASE The leperous distilment.” : : Hs According to Gerarde, tobacco was called “ Hen-— aie bane of Peru,” and no preparation of real henbane (supposed to be meant by “hebenon”) would _ produce death; but the essential oil of tobe i might do so, 3 ‘DICOTYLEDONS 131 Dr. Taylor records instances in which a large quantity of tobacco was consumed by smoking and death was the result. He mentions that eminent men consider that habitual smoking is injurious to health. Indeed, some have confessed it themselves, as they could not work at literary matters in consequence of lassitude ; and so gave up the practice. The reason is that it disorders the digestive functions. A poisonous substance like tobacco, writes Dr. Taylor, whether in powder, juice, or vapour, cannot be brought in contact with an absorbing surface like the mucous membrane, without in many cases producing disorder of the system, which the con- sumer is probably quite ready to attribute to any other cause than that which would render it neces- sary for him to deprive himself of what he considers not merely a luxury, but an article necessary to his existence. With regard to the effects of smoking upon the system, the following appears to be so important, that it is worth repeating here to show the con- nection between physique and nicotine :—* The instructors in athletics at the universities of Yale and Amherst have been making some interesting observations with reference to the effects of smoking upon the physique of the college students. We do not know whether those who conducted these ‘inquiries entered upon them with any preposses-— Pat: 4 se ~ a yA si eT « 132 POISONOUS PLANTS ee Pe sions or prejudices, but there appears no reason to suppose that the observations were not fairly made and accurately recorded. The consensus of results in the two institutions is decidedly unfavourable to the use of the weed. Dr. Seaver, who conducted the experiments at Yale, found that those students who did not use tobacco showed a gain over those who were addicted to its use of 20 per cent. in height, 25 per cent. in weight, and 66 per cent. in lung capacity. Dr. Seaver has kept up his observ- ations for eight years, and finds that they show an equally decided advantage for non-smokers during the whole period. A fact which seems to afford an incidental but remarkable confirmation of the conclusions thus reached by actual measure- ments is that not only do all the boating crews abstain from tobacco, but that among the whole 1 body of competitors in the different fields of Hs athletics there is but one smoker. At Amherst | the study of effects was in the case of the graduat- ing class. In this class the measurements and __ tests showed that 71 per cent. had gained and 29S per cent. had remained stationary or fallen off during the last four years. Separating the smokers ~ from the non-smokers, it was found that the latter | had gained 24 per cent. more than the former in weight, 37 per cent. more in height, and 42 per cent. more in chest-girth. Still further, those who oun did not use tobacco were found to have an advan- : DICOTYLEDONS : 133 tage of 8°36 cubic inches of lung capacity over the smokers. These statements, which we give on the authority of the Mew York Nation, may be accepted, we suppose, as scientific facts, and as such may be commended to the study of all lovers of the weed.” !— Toronto Week. PERIWINKLE FAMILY (Apocynacee). PERIWINKLE (Vinca major and V. minor).— These two species represent the family among our wild flowers ; though it is a little doubtful whether they are not naturalized from Europe. They belong to a family usually characterized by having poisonous, drastic, and purgative proper- ties; though the Periwinkles themselves do not seem to be more than bitter to the taste, slightly acrid and astringent. OLEANDER (Nerzum Oleander).—This plant, so frequently grown on the Continent, is sometimes cultivated in conservatories for its beautiful single or double, white or rose-coloured flowers. It should be well understood, however, that it is a deadly 1 For poisoning by Zodacco, Mr. Blyth’s recommendations are as follows :— Unless the stomach has been already emptied by vomiting, use stomach-pump or tube, or give an emetic of mustard and plenty of water. Stimulants such as brandy may be given. Keep the body warm, but the cold douche may be applied tothe head. Tannin and vegetable infusions containing tannin may also be given ; but it is questionable if they are of much use, unless any remnants remain in the stomach. Keep the patient lying down for fear of fatal syncope. 134 POISONOUS PLANTS poisonous plant. The flowers are as harmful as other parts; thus a child ate a few of them, and in two days died. During the Peninsular War,a number of French — soldiers who went out foraging near Madrid, returned laden with the fruits of their search. One of the number, with the view of securing some wood to make skewers for the meat, cut a quantity of Oleander boughs, and having stripped off the bark, used the wood in the meat. The result was, that out of twelve who ate of the meat, seven died, and the rest were dangerously ill. The — poisonous principle is said to be so subtle that its exhalations alone are sufficient to cause serious accidents, and even death, to those who sleep for any time under its influence.t 2 Doa’s-BANE, or FLY-TRAP (A pocynum andra ae Jolium), a native of the United States,as well as the so-called Indian Hemp (A. cannabinum), are both cultivated as garden plants. Neither can be strictly called poisonous, as no serious results have ever followed from their use as drug-plants; but ee the root especially has a strong nauseous odour, Re and an acrid bitter taste. on F OXGLOVE FAMILY (Scrophularine@). —This is” irregular corolla, but it takes various shapes as A Mg. Blyth recommends the same treatment in the case of poisoning by Oleander as for Digitalis or Bate! becca p: Set DICOTYLEDONS | 135 in the familiar Foxglove, Toadflax, Snapdragon, Monkey-flower, Speedwell, etc. GREAT MULLEIN (Verbascum Thapsus, Fig. 33). -~—We have five other species of Mullein. This one is recognizable by its woolly foliage and yellow flowers in a dense spike. It stands inter-. mediate between the Po- tato and Foxglove families; because while the former has a regular corolla with five perfect stamens, in nearly all other members of the present family one sta- men is suppressed, so Biat. there are.-.usually . Fis: 99. Verbatim, Thapsts: Gees four. In a few genera they are still further reduced to two (Calceolarias and Speedwells). In Mulleins, the stamens are still five in number, but the posterior one is nearly, if not quite, abortive as represented in the top figure on the left. Moreover, the corolla has scarcely become more than very slightly irregular. The soft, thick leaves boiled in milk and - sweetened are employed in medicine as being emollient and pectoral; but the seeds possess 136 POISONOUS PLANTS some toxic property, the nature of which has not been determined, which stupefies fish; and _ has, therefore, been used for this purpose to catch them. As children so frequently put all kinds of seeds in their mouths, this plant should be avoided in that respect. : FIGWORT (Scrophularia, Fig. 34)—We have four species wild, but only two common (S. xodosa and S. aquatica). They have a disagreeable odour and a bitter taste. They were formerly credited as very valuable in the cure of scrofula. Hence arose — the name of the genus and family as well, S. nodosa, found — in shady and moist places, has a quadrangular stem, smooth and __ toothed leaves, small purplish Fig. 34. Scrophularia nodosa; ¢ : shops flowers in a large terminal “ panicle,” and a capsular fruit. The rootstock is horizontal and tuberous. — The plant acts as an emeticand purgative with 1 This is a technical term for any loose mass of flowers on the same central stem. DICOTYLEDONS 137 great energy ; fortunately animals will not touch it. The plant should be regarded as suspicious ; though no case of actual poisoning is known. FOXGLOVE (Digztalis purpurea)—This hand- some wild-flower, to be found in nearly every county, as well as cultivated, affords a valuable medicinal drug. All parts of the Foxglove are poisonous, but the seeds are richest in the deleterious principle. The leaves are more active before flowering than after- wards. Under cultivation the principle is less active than in wild plants. Neither drying nor boiling destroys the poisonous principle. Several cases of poisoning by Foxglove have arisen from ignorant persons making an infusion or “tea” of the leaves; but cases have occurred of careless administration of the drug. No animal, not even goats, will ever browse upon the Foxglove. Foxglove, or Digitalis, is so powerful in its action that, as Dr. Hogg observes, as a medicine it should never be administered unless by a skilful and practised hand, because of the danger result- ing from an imprudent use of it. One of its peculiarities is that, after having been given in moderate doses for several days without apparent effect, it sometimes acts suddenly with an accu- mulated influence, even to the danger of life. 138 POISONOUS PLANTS Indeed, Dr. Tanner records two cases in which death occurred within twenty-two hours after being administered medicinally. To illustrate the folly of ignorant people doctor- ing themselves with fresh poisonous plants, a case is recorded by Mr. Blyth of a woman who took a large unknown quantity of the freshly-expressed juice of Foxglove for the purpose of relieving a swelling of the limbs. After suffering much she died on the twelfth day. Rp TOADFLAX (Linaria vulgaris).—This and five ~—_ other species are natives. They are all acrid and poisonous ; but no harm has ever been recorded as caused by them. Their odour and taste prevent animals from eating them. Little or nothing is known of their toxic principles. LOUSEWORT (Pedicularis sylvatica and P. palustris), so called from an old use, but not now employed. The chief effects, if taken internally, are vomiting and purgation. : The first of our two species frequents shady 1 For Digitalis or Foxglove poisoning, Mr. Blyth recom- mends emptying the stomach by emetics, sulphate of zinc or , & mustard. Follow up with strong tea, or half-a-drachm of tannic or gallic acid in aqueous solution. Stimulants in aoe small doses may be given frequently by the mouth, or if me there be vomiting by the bowel. e x Dr. Brunton gives as antidotes, strong tea [or coffee wid A brandy to lessen the tendency to sleep (Tanner) ]; tannins — and stimulants. Aconite 5 mins. of the tincture, subcu- taneously ; and perfect quiet in bed. So — site on grass-roots is easily known by its in- _ ground up with corn they impart a _ violet-brown © ~ ‘DICOTYLEDONS 139 places, is only eaten by animals when the plant is very young, but is refused afterwards, as also is the Marsh Lousewort at all times. YELLOW RATTLE (Rhinanthus Crista-galli, Fig. 35).—This common para- flated calyx and yellow corolla (see figure). This plant is refused by cattle when dried in hay. If the seeds are colour to the flour. This is due to a property called Rhinanthine. It is not known whether this principle has really POi- Fig. 35. Rhinanthus Crista-galli sonous properties or not ; but if so, it is probably only after prolonged usage. COW-WHEAT (Welampyrum pratense, etc.).—We have four native species of this plant. Like the last they are parasitic upon grass-roots, and blacken when dried. JZ. pratense has yellow flowers, but in JZ. arvense they are red. ‘While green the field Cow-wheat is eaten by | all animals, and is considered as hastening cows into milk. If the seeds be ground up with wheat, _ a | | . Ohi. £ ; . y ~ y { 140 POISONOUS PLANTS they impart a violet tint, a peculiar odour, and bitter taste. . With regard to ill effects, it has been observed that persons who have eaten bread contaminated with the seeds of the Cow-wheat have suffered from vertigo, but not invariably; so at present it remains only as a suspected plant. BROOMRAPE FAMILY (Orobanchace@). BROOMRAPE (Ovobanche minor).—This species is parasitic on clover and several other plants. It only calls for attention in consequence of its having been found to produce colic in animals fed on clover in which this leafless parasite grows | in abundance. Further researches are required to ascertain what injurious properties it may possess. DIVISION IV FLOWERS INCOMPLETE ; COROLLA WANTING ; SEXES OFTEN SEPARATE Dock FAMILY (Polygonacee).—The genus Poly- gonum has twelve British species. It has a calyx of five sepals, a variable number of stamens, and a pistil of two or three coherent carpels forming a little nut-like fruit. Many are readily eaten by animals, but others, as the hot-tasting Water-pepper of our ditches (P. Hydropiper), are refused by them. The very astrin- gent Bistort (P. Azstorta) is only eaten by certain animals, as the horse, and P. amphibium by cows. BLACK BINDWEED (P. Convolvulus).—This is the only species to which any special attention need be drawn, It is very common in cornfields; the stem climbs up the stalk of the wheat, and apart from its flowers, closely resembles the Lesser Bind- weed (Convolvulus arvensis). If the seeds of this plant are too much mixed with oats, it has been found that, after a considerable period, serious internal derangements follow. 141 as +e Bee Te Rar eee oe tah eet eg) 142 2 POISONOUS PLANTS Polygonums are bitter, rich in tannin; but they | are not otherwise known to be poisonous. Dock (Rumex, sp.).—Those species which have an acid flavour are called Sorrels. Of these we have two species, the common Sorrel (R, Acetosa) and the Sheep’s-sorrel (2. Acetosella, Fig. 36). They are both dicecious, the male flower having a calyx of six sepals and six stamens; the female has a similar calyx, with a pistil carrying three feathery stigmas (see figure on the right) adapted to wind-pollination. The acidity is due to the presence of binoxalate of potash, sold as salts of lemon or of sorrel; and in that form it is very poisonous. It is useful for removing the stains of ink (made from oak-galls) from linen. The little plant known as Sheep’s-sorrel is common in sandy districts, heaths, etc. It is called by this name under the impression that sheep will eat it with avidity ; but veterinary doctors charge it with having poisoned both horse and sheep which browsed upon it when the fruit was ripe and full of seeds. Most serious disorganizations coupled with internalinflammation and finallydeath | are described of the horse ; but at present chemists as have not tried to discover if the Sheep-sorrel’s has any poisonous properties at all, beyond its acidity. — . Instances of poisoning by the common Sorrel (R. — Acetosa) have usually been 1 One with children who . — lees B: . - said that the free con- i tivated in England, but to DICOTYLEDONS 143 have eaten considerable quantities of the leaves ; for it is not at all dangerous as a salad herb, in soups, or in other culinary preparations. However, the habit of eating all sorts of leaves by boys should be rigidly restrained. Oxalate of lime exists in large quantities in the leaves and_ stalks of : Garden Rhubarb (Rheum sp.) of this family. It is sumption of this plant has more than once produced symptoms of intestinal irritation, and even gas- tritis (Tanner).? BUCKWHEAT (fagopy- rum esculentum).—This plant is occasionally cul- a much greater extent : ‘ . rae. » ig. 36. Rumex Acetosella ; Sheep’s- upon the Continent for the sorrel. sake of the nutritious seed for the use of poultry, Be p. 64. and also for bread among the humbler classes, Apart from a certain indigestibility, there is nothing else objectionable. But a very curious result follows from animals eating the flowering 1 For remedies for poisoning by Salts of Lemon and common Sorre/, see under Wood-sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella), ~ as Gear, ay . Re ay - >, = —m a, om x a = cp tindig ca 3/9 Ce ae Ces i : eT ee lI é., a) 144 POISONOUS PLANTS tops of the growing plants, as well as the haulm when given with oats to horses, but especially to sheep, to which the haulm is given both as fodder and litter. The effect is a sort of temporary madness ; for as long as they were within a covered sheep-fold they were all right, but when taken out into the cold air for three hours, they became agitated. Their heads and ears became swollen, and they tried to strike their heads against the walls. On being driven back they soon recovered, The flowering tops produce similar effects, and it is said that hares, if they have been eating them, become an easy prey to the dogs, for they stagger as if intoxicated. Swine suffer in the same way, and butt against each other furiously. Though the stems and grain have been analyzed carefully, nothing has been discovered to which these alarming results can be attributed. The nearest comparison appears to be the Indian Hemp, which produces very similar results, as seen — in a man who, under its influence, is said to “run amok.” Hence the word “hashish” has given rise to our “assassin”; that being the Arabic name for hemp. ARISTOLOCHIA FAMILY (A 7‘stolochiacee).—There are two species of this foreign genus which are not infrequently met with in gardens. BIRTHWORT (A. Clematitis) has erect, ribald Rr DICOTYLEDONS 145 sreen-yellow flowers. The plant is herbaceous, about one and a half feet in height. It has a very disagreeable odour which repels animals, but it is occasionally eaten in forage on the Continent, and imparts its flavour to milk. Taken in large quantities, it has injured horses when mixed with lucerne, inducing all the appear- ances of poisoning. The recovery was slow. The effects are attributable to a bitter principle which has been extracted, called Avrzstolochine. DUTCHMAN’S PIPE (A. Szpho) is a North American plant climbing up walls, etc, having large round leaves, and yellow and purple tubular flowers. It has probably the same principle as the _ former. ASARABACCA (A sarum europeum)—Mr. Bentham includes this in our British flora, as it occurs in woods and shady places, and is believed to be a true native in the North of England and Wiltshire. It has an inferior ovary like the Aristolochia, but only a short tubular greenish-brown calyx; _ within it are twelve stamens, and six stigmas to the pistil. The leaves are heart-shaped, arising from a creeping rootstock. This plant has long enjoyed a reputation as an emetic and purgative. The root has an acrid taste. The leaves are acrid and nauseous. The root has been found to contain an acrid, volatile prin- _ ciple, similar to that of the poisonous Cuckoo-pint = S 4 ~ Fr ‘ : oe 4 ho" % iS Pee Los : ie - ay ae oe ra : ie BTS A a — VAY ota & < gers ON ee “ K ~ ey ‘ ‘ yw, 146 POISONOUS PLANTS (Arum maculatum). The plant is called cabaret in France, as it is employed as an emetic by drinkers among the lower classes. The DAPHNE FAMILY (Zhymelacee).— Two . species of a single genus, Daphne, represent this family in Great Britain. MEZEREON (Daphne Mezereum).—This is a small shrub about a yard high, with numerous rose-red flowers and scarlet ber- ries. The leaves appear after the flowers. «It occurs in copses and woods, but has long been grown as a garden plant. The flowers of Daphne — consist of a tubular calyx | of four coherent sepals, carrying eight stamens in two rows; and a pistil of \) a single carpel, which ~— Fig. 37. Daphne Laureola ; Spurge- becomes the berry r : ; ‘ rr ' All the parts of this, — as well as of the next, our only other species, are — - acrid and poisonous. Ss = SPURGE-LAUREL (D. Laureola, Fig. 37). The ee g attractive berries of this plant have been the cause — s of many mishaps among children. . Drying does not destroy their poisonous property. o - ' ~ DICOTYLEDONS ays The bark is very acrid, and if applied to the skin causes eruptions. If put in the mouth and masticated, it produces a sensation of burning, and if swallowed, it has drastic and narcotic effects. It has even proved fatal to children. No animal will touch it. In addition to the acridity characteristic of both the Daphnes, the berries act in a manner somewhat similarly to Monkshood and the Deadly Night- shade. As the irritant action is the greatest danger, the subjoined remedy should be given. The MISTLETOE FAMILY (Loranthacee). — Though the foliage is often given to animals as fodder on the Continent, particularly to ruminants, who like it, yet the berries appear to have injurious effects. A case is on record of a little boy who ate some dozen of the berries, and the symptoms were those of alcoholic poisoning. Their glutinous character can hardly render them very attractive, but they are certainly to be avoided. SPURGE FAMILY (Euphorbiacee).—We have only three genera of this family in Great Britain, viz. twelve species of Spurge, the Box, and two species 1 Antidote to poisoning by Mezercon and Spurge-laurel (Daphne) :—Gruel and barley-water should be taken to encourage the vomiting the berries occasion ; and castor- le in preference to other cathartic medicine. _ Dr. Tanner says :—Emetics, unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place, when it may merely be encouraged by the use of diluents. If the poison has entered the intes- tine it must be removed by castor-oil. » 148 POISONOUS PLANTS of Mercury. The family contains many tropical plants and trees; some, such as the Manchineel, being deadly poisonous. SUN SPURGE (Euphorbia Helioscopea, Fig. 38).— This is a common species. Like all the rest it has an acrid milky juice, used as a popular remedy for warts. The inflorescence consists of an umbel of radiating peduncles, with a whorl of toothed leaves below it. The ultimate pedicels carry the “flowers.” They consist of a little cup-like structure provided with five rounded glands on the edge. This is not a calyx, but an involucre of coherent bracts. Within it are a number of distinct flowers, reduced to their simplest elements. Thus, there are numerous male flowers, each consisting of a single stamen, jointed to its pedicel, which arises from the axil of a bract (see the figure of the Caper Spurge, Fig. 39). Associated with these male flowers is one female, consisting of a pistil of three coherent carpels with cleft stigmas. Itissupportedonalong stalk, so that it hangs out over the edge of the “involucral cup” (see figure, top). This becomesa capsule, the three carpels bursting elastically when __ ripe. ee Besides being used for warts, this species, also called Wart-wort, Churn-staff, Cat’s-milk, has — | been improperly employed to cure sore eyelids, — , causing, in many instances, intolerable pain and. on isiigeanaon. 2-3 ee DICOTYLEDONS 149 CAPER SPURGE (Euphorbia Lathyris, Fig. 39).— _This is really a continental species, but has long been cultivated; and is now naturalized as a weed in the vicinity of gardens. It has opposite smooth leaves of a bluish-green hue. The structure of the flowers is the same as in other species, only the Euphorbia Helioscopia ; Fig. 39. Euphorbia Lathyris ; Caper Sun Spurge. Spurge. Sone glands on the edge of the involucral cup are -_ erescent-shaped. Its unripe fruit resembles that of the common garden Nasturtium ( 77op@o/um mazus), and like that, it has been used for pickling pur-_ poses. As ofall other species of Euphorbia, the milky juice is very acrid. The seeds, as of so | many euphorbiaceous plants, yield an oil which is _ eeLSOr Sr. POISONOUS. PLANTS at violently purgative, like Croton oil. It speedily becomes rancid, and has thena disagreeable action. When green the ovary of the three-lobed pistil contains the poisonous milky sap, and is very acrid ; but after having been steeped in salt-and-water, and then in vinegar, the poisonous property becomes neutralized, or at least reduced in its virulence, so as to render it inert in the amount of the pickle usually eaten. | Since, however, it has no advantage—rather the reverse—over other vegetables, the practice of pickling it should be discountenanced. The milky juice which characterizes all the species is acrid and poisonous, while the seeds contain an extremely purgative oil, called “oil of euphorbia.” This is very well known in the genus Rzcznus, or Castor-oil plant, and in the Crotons, both belonging to this family. On the Continent peasants not infrequently use the seeds of the Caper Spurge as purgatives, but have suffered in consequence. Only very young animals eat it. Older ones — refuse it. Nevertheless cases of their having been | poisoned by it are recorded. The goat, however, is said to be nourished on it, but the milk of such goats conveys the deleterious properties ae the consumer. The juice of Spurges eee to the skin acts as — an irritant and vesicant, whether outside or in the a ~ a! digestive canal, and also causes other graver symptoms; yet instances of its poisoning children are not wanting. In one case a boy died from eating the Petty Spurge (Euphorbia Peplus), one of our small species, growing from six to ten inches in height. In a second case a boy died after eating we Sun Spurge... (Zz. Flelioscopia), already re- EL) ferred to as another com- SEQ mon field weed; in both instances the mouth, throat, and stomach were found to be in a highly inflamed and _ corroded condition. The roots and seeds of species of Euphorbia have been used by quack doc- tors and ignorant country folk with disastrous re- sults, so that the whole fibe-should ‘be catefully. "Manele Perens, ties avoided. MERCURY (MWercurialis perennis, Fig. 40, and M. annua).—The first of these two species is very common in shady places, hedgerows, etc., covering large spaces of ground by means of its creeping stems. The second is a not uncommon garden ~ weed, but much more abundant on the Continent. i... © DICOTYLEDONS 4” ¢ Feo e 1g y eo 152 POISONOUS PLANTS an Both species are dicecious; the male plant having its flowers on long peduncles. Each flower con- sists of a calyx of three sepals with about nine — stamens (see left-hand figure). The female flower has a similar calyx, two rudiments of stamens, represented by filaments only, and a pistil of two coherent carpels with spreading stigmas (see right-hand figure); the pistil becomes a bilobed nut-like little fruit (see figure above female flower). Mercury has no “latex” or milky juice, but it contains a poisonous principle. It exhales a disagreeable odour, so that animals rarely eat it, but only when given to them mixed with other herbage, when it has proved fatal to sheep. In the case of man, misfortunes have only occurred through misuse of the plant asadrug. As, however, heat destroys the injurious property, it is innocuous in hay, and can be also eaten as a boiled vegetable, as is done in some parts of Germany. After boiling, it is also given to pigs in parts of France. Yet it is a decidedly harmful plant ; the juice is emetic and the seeds dangerously purgative ; even vie fatal results have followed its use. The annual species has been called Wild Seine in some parts of the country, where they boil it as a pot herb; the botanist Ray records a case in which a whole family of five persons suffered DICOTYLEDONS 153 severely from eating it fried with bacon. Some fishermen ate it with soup, and all were seriously ill an hour after the meal, showing all the symptoms _-of narcotic irritant poisoning. Two of the children died the next day. Box (Buxus sempervirens).—This is a native of Box-hill, but has been grown as a garden shrub since the times of the ancient Romans, who made hedges with it, often cutting it into fanciful shapes, - or what is called topiary work. The wood is very close-grained, so that it has been invaluable for wood-engraving. All parts of the Box emit a disagreeable odour and taste, being bitter and nauseous, and have affected both men and animals. With the former it has generally been the result of a fraudulent use of Box-leaves instead of hops in beer, and in mixing them with senna-leaves. Animals have injured themselves by browsing upon Box shrubs, especially in arid districts de- ficient in proper herbage. Camels in Persia have thus suffered. In Western Europe the cuttings of the dwarf box edgings have poisoned animals, even pigs have died from eating them, as it is the leaves and bark especially which contain the poisonous principle, which is emeto-purgative, and can be fatal in its effects. Whether the flesh of animals poisoned by Box can communicate the deleterious property to man, is not known for ‘ : certain. ‘ es i ey ee X SOG) eee : oh lon J : ‘tf: bey OS Oh ee ae . 154 POISONOUS PLANTS ; It is said that the porcupine of all animals is the — only one which can eat Box with impunity. CASTOR-OIL (Ricinus communts)—This plant is often cultivated for its handsome foliage. It is an annual in this country, but grows to a good-sized tree in the South of Europe. The value of this plant resides in the oil ex- tracted by pressure from the seeds. The oil itself is of a mild aperient nature; but the refuse of the crushed seeds, or the whole seeds themselves are much more injurious. Cases of poisoning have occurred by children eating the seeds, mistaking them for haricot-beans or pistachio-nuts, and ignorant herbalists have ad- ministered them instead of the oil. Even four seeds caused grave results, and eight, death. Very frequent poisoning of fowls and pigs has occurred on the Continent, and eighty sheep were on one occasion lost by their eating the refuse from the oil-crushing, inadvertently given to them. 1 Dr. Tanner observes as to the treatment of patients " suffering from such irritants as Euphorbium, excess of Castor and Croton oil seeds:—The treatment must -be directed to the removal of the injurious substance by emetics, etc., — unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place, when it may merely be encouraged by the use of diluents. If the irritant has passed out of the stomach into the intestines, it must be carried off by purgatives, especially by castor-oil. _ The inflammatory symptoms should be cautiously combated, on account of the great prostration usually caused by these poisons. Opiates, emollient enemata, and fomentations tothe — abdomen will subsequently be found useful. se DICOTYLEDONS 155 THE OAK FAMILY (Cupulifere). BEECH (Fagus sylvatica)—The beech-masts when deprived of their husks are perfectly harm- less ; z.e. the embryo can be eaten with impunity ; but it has been found that when they have been crushed for the sake of the oil they contain, and the refuse or husks have been made into cakes for cattle, they suffer from some very deleterious principle which resides in the husks alone. They can eat the foliage of the beech, but not the husks of the masts. OAK (Quercus Robur)—The only part of this tree to which attention need be called is the leaves, and especially in a young state. In early spring, at a time when the supply of forage is well-nigh exhausted, it is the custom abroad to send the cattle into the forests. The animals having been for weeks confined to dry . food, eat with avidity the young shoots and leaves of the trees. After some days there appear, first upon the younger animals and especially upon those of a thin skin with white hair, then upon the milch cows, and finally upon all, signs of a malady long known and described under the characteristic name Maladie des bots. . The animals, with a good appetite at first, eat less and less; they ruminate but little and with * ~e (ee be 156 POISONOUS PLANTS difficulty. They remain lying down for 4 long time. The supply of milk fails. Fever follows - and other serious troubles ; in some cases so violent are they that death ensues. Soe It is found that not only the oak but the horn- beam, the hazel, the privet, the furze and the broom © in the young condition are apt to produce similar complications. Now all these contain tannin when the foliage is full grown—but then this productis perfectly harmless: so that the belief at presentis that certain substances, which subsequently decome —~_ tannin, are injurious in that previous condition in which they occur in the young and early spring _ 3 foliage of these trees and shrubs. ery - GYMNOSPERMS. PINE FAMILY (Conzfere). Only three plants (trees and shrubs) represent this group in England, Scotland, and Ireland—the Scotch Fir, the com- mon Juniper, and the Yew. Numerous species of _ pines and firs are found in the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere ; their representatives in the southern being quite different, such as the familiar « na “Monkey-puzzle” tree (Araucaria imbricata One aa Chili). nee: Cryptogams (such as ferns, together with club: ee mosses and other flowerless plants) constituted a large proportion of the forests of bygone ages, = 7 ~ DICOTYLEDONS 157 which went to form our coal. As far as negative evidence goes, no other flowering plants than Gymnosperms existed in the so-called Carboni- ferous age of the world. This group of plants is called Gyinaospenns because the seeds are naked, having no enveloping pistil or carpel at all, In the case of the Fir-tree, a pair of ovules are attached to the base of a flat scale ; in the Juniper, one ovule stands at the base of ascale, and three together make by the partial cohesion of the scales the so-called Juniper-berry. In the Yew, which is dicecious, the male flowers consist of a tuft of stamens, each having several anthers radiating from the top of the filaments (see left hand, Fig. 41). The female flower consists of nothing but a single ovule, surrounded by bracts resembling those around the stamens. When the ovule becomes a stony seed, there is _ developed a scarlet cup around it (represented on the bough in the figure). YEW (Zaxrus baccata, Fig. 41) is classed among the most dangerous of trees forcattle. _ It occasions more accidents than others, because it has no repelling scent nor flavour, as animals readily browse upon its foliage, especially in winter when they get too much dry food; and it is the older foliage which is the most harmful. The poisonous character of the Yew was known to the ancients. Czsar, for example, mentions - a . Py ae | 158 POISONOUS PLANTS the fact that Cativolcus poisoned himself with it. They thought that whoever slept under a Yew-tree would die. But, of course, this was all imaginary. Fig. 41. Taxus baccata; Yew. x Saal The Gauls, we are told, poisoned their arrows with a the juice ; but this would be impossible from the __ _ small amount which could be put upon them. The wood, bark, leaves, and seeds are all poison- DICOTYLEDONS 159 ous ; but the scarlet succulent envelope of the seed when ripe is innocuous. It is the leaves which are ‘most dangerous, and, contrary to the rule, it is the older dark green, and not the bright green spring foliage which is the most poisonous. Drying does not destroy the property, as a mis- hap occurred in administering powdered Yew-leaves to a child; as well as fresh leaves as a vermifuge which-produced fatal results. Herbivorous animals alone are liable to be ~ injured by the Yew. Horses, asses, cows and rabbits have been known to be poisoned ; not only from browsing upon the trees, but from the cut shoots where Yew hedges have been trimmed. These should always be carefully removed and burnt at once. A case has been recorded of three horses taken to be sold at a country fair, that were tethered to the churchyard railings over which some Yew- boughs hung. The horses ate the leaves, and all three died. . Children have been not infrequently poisoned by eating the green seeds together with the harmless scarlet covering. The seeds are deadly poisonous. It has even been given as a remedy for a com-— -plaint to some children ; but they all died within a few hours of each other. Of thirty-two cases of poisoning by Yew, nine _ were by the berries and the rest from the leaves. rote Mee TE Sete is Pe Ed ~>s ~~ a » eo} o> SS 7 . Yr att 160 POISONOUS PLANTS These were all accidental ; twenty of the nity 2 two died, or 62°5 per cent. It is remarkable that several deaths have occurred in lunatic. asylums — aot from the patients having chewed Yew-leaves.t SAVIN (_Junzperus sabina).—Though our common — cv Juniper (_/. communzs) is harmless, the berries fee | is employed in flavouring gin, and when dried area Bs ae good stomachic, yet the Savin is not infrequently — ie grown in gardens, introduced from the mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe. Many ~ cases of death have resulted from taking powdered — Savin. The leaves are poisonous, but their strong odour, “ resinous and acrid taste, repel all animals from “ae browsing upon it.? | | = m 1 Emetics, castor-oil, and stimulants are the means to be > ras Ae resorted to in cases of poisoning by Yew; withcold affusions, | os especially if there be much stupor (Tanner). ; ie * 2 In case of poisoning by Saviz, Epsom salts and demul- aX oe cents are recommended by Dr. Brunton: and as it is one a of the “irritant” poisons, Dr. Tanner prescribes a treatment iN described under Eufphorbiacee, in case of poisoning by members of that family. Note, p. 154. s At ost y CLASS II MONOCOTYLEDONS DIVISION I PERIANTH SUPERIOR AND OVARY INFERIOR DAFFODIL FAMILY (Amaryllidacee). — This family, like many other monocotyledonous plants, is characterized by having a six-leaved perianth instead of a calyx and corolla, these two whorls being represented by the parts being nearly or quite alike ; or at least both being petaloid. There are six stamens and a pistil of three coherent carpels. It only differs from the Lily family by having an inferior ovary ; so that members of these two families are at once distinguished by that feature. This family is represented in Great Britain by three genera only, as follows :— DAFFODIL (Varcissus Pseudo-narcissus).—The bulbs of the Daffodil, as well as every other part of the plant, are powerfully emetic; the flowers 161 L 162 POISONOUS PLANTS also have been known to produce dangerous effects upon children who have swallowed portions of them. Nurses should be cautioned against putting flowers into the hands of infants. POETS’ NARCISSUS (JV. poeticus).—This species is not wild, but abundantly cultivated both single and double, the latter resembling the flower of Gardenia. Its bulb is said to be more dangerous than that of the Daffodil, being powerfully emetic and irritant. Even the scent is deleterious, if the flowers be in any quantity ina closed room; as they have produced intense headache and vomiting in some persons, SNOWDROP (Galanthus nivalis). SNOWFLAKE (Leucojum estivum and vernum).— These two genera and species are both wild and cultivated. Numerous other genera are grown in this country, such as the Guernsey Lily (WVerzne Sarniensis),a native of South Africa, and many others. Asthe bulbs of several are known to be poisonous, those __ of the above British plants must be regarded with suspicion ; though no case is known of any one és having been poisoned by them. BLACK BRYONY FAMILY (Dioscoreaced). . BLACK BRYONY (Zamus communis) is our only representative. It is a familiar climbing plant scrambling over hedges, having oval, pointed an very glossy leaves ; small green flowers of which th rs ces MONOCOTYLEDONS CS EGA sexes are distinct on different plants; and bearing large quantities of scarlet berries in the autumn. The root abounds in starch, like that of the true Bryony, to which this plant has, of course, no affinity, being a monocotyledon. It is purgative, and has been used in popular medicines, when reduced to pulp, for ap- _ plication to bruises. ~ Hence it acquired the name in France of “‘Herbe aux femmes battues!” The stems and leaves appear to have little or no deleterious properties ; inasmuch as the Italians and Arabs are said toeat the young shoots like as- paragus; and it is said that goats and sheep browse upon it with impunity. The fruit, however, is decidedly poisonous ; the juicy berries being without any disagreeable flavour, often attract children. Indeed, near Lyons, a woman gave her child the berries to eat, which proved fatal. The poison proved to belong to the acrid-narcotic class. The large fleshy rcot is dark-coloured externally, © & . Tamus communis; Black ’ Bryony. _ otherwise resembling that of the Bryony. It is 164 i very acrid, and was meee used as a cat medicine, and still is so by quack doctors ; ‘but is a most dangerous remedy. Death is sure result from an over-dose. The berries <— emetic. , death, the berries of the Black Bryony: ae paralysis of the lower extremities. nae ie FLAG FAMILY (/ridacee).—The Iris Family ‘ds represented in Great Britain by the Iris, Crocus, and Gladiolus ; but a very large number of for species are in ailtivation, i aa YELLOW or CORN FLAG (/72s Pseud-ocori This is common in our rivers, lakes, ote and we known by its yellow flowers. : _ follows. First, there is an obvious ite ‘ova i If cut through, it will reveal the usual three c han bers characteristic of monocotyledons, with t oe. LOWS of ovules i in each cell. On the summit ee _ which are erect. In the centre is ; the dere branches into three petal- like extremities. in * aohbenigdedoney one over each out under a style-arm. The anthers burst | and not inwards, which is the rule. The a little iedge on the outer side of 1 MONOCOTYLEDONS | 165 nS e+ pust over the tip of the anther; so that the pollen cannot reach it unless an insect alighting on the ____ leaf of the perianth called “the fall,” searching down the holes at the base of the filament for 2 4 : honey, strikes its thorax against the anthers, _ thus removing a quantity of pollen. The stigmatic _ ledge can then receive it, : on the insect flying to the : other “falls” or to another flower. ___ It has long been known, even to Linnzeus, that the Tris was dangerous to ~ cattle. +The flowers and SS _ the rhizomes have drastic - properties and also very _ marked emetic ones. All the other species of Iris must be regarded as "equally suspicious. : oe ‘CUCKOO-PINT FAMILY pig 43. Arum maculatum; Lords _ (Aroidee, Fig. 43. Ms and Ladies. | _ Lords and Ladies, or Cuckoo-pint (Arum macu- Tatum), is our only representative of this family, _ which contains many foreign poisonous plants. It on well ee by its leaf, ee bree like an . 166 POISONOUS PLANTS The structure of the spadix with its flowers will be understood from the accompanying figures. Beginning at the base will be seen a number of pistils, each consisting of a round ovary, with only a truncated stigma upon it; a figure of this is seen in the middle of the woodcut. Above the pistils, each of which is regarded by botanists as a separate flower, is a ring of stamens, each consisting of a purplish’ anther with four cells’ (see figure on the extreme right). Above the anthers is a sort of fringe, corresponding to the place where the spathe contracts. The stem of the spadix is then prolonged into the purple club-like extremity, acting as a store-house of nutriment for the seeds to absorb in ripening. When this takes place, the spathe withers and falls off; the top of the spadix having surrendered its nourishment goes too, while only the basal part with the, now, scarlet berries remains (see figure at the top, left). A berry is hollow and has two or three wrinkled seeds at the bottom (see the one cut vertically to show the seeds within it). All parts of the plant, tuber (see figure), leaves, and fruit, are poisonous. They contain a juice which loses its deleterious properties when dried. Children have been frequently attracted by the | brightly coloured berries, notwithstanding their Sat unpleasant smell. As the leaves when bruised give outa disagree- MONOCOTYLEDONS 167 able odour, they are not spontaneously eaten by animals; and they have never been known to cause _ death, as they quickly refuse them. Pigs which had eaten the tubers suffered, but none died; though it acts as an irritant and purgative. In the case of little children who have died from eating the fruit, cramps and convulsions preceded death, with great internal pains and a sensation of burning. Indeed death has followed from the tenth to the twentieth hour after eating the poisonous fruit, when medical interference has been too late. The rhizome or tuber was formerly used by medical practitioners as a purgative, but it is now abandoned. Besides their actual poisonous properties, the cells of the succulent fruit abound with needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate, sufficient to irritate the tongue when a broken berry is placed upon it. In a case of three children who had eaten some of the berries, their tongues became so swollen as to render swallowing difficult, when convulsions followed, and two died, but one recovered. Aruim ttalicum, found in the Isle of Wight, isa Mediterranean variety, and has the same poisonous properties. | Though the root is very acrid, yet its poisonous properties are destroyed by heat, and it then forms a nutritious food. In Dorsetshire, in the Isle of Portland, the plant being particularly abundant, 168 POISONOUS PLANTS the peasants used to collect the tubers, and having ground them intoa pulp, they were then baked, reduced to powder, and eaten as “ Portland Sago.” The plant was also called Starch-wort, as it was used for stiffening the ruffs and frills worn by -gentlemen and ladies in the reign of Queen Eliza- beth. Gerarde in his Herball says—‘ The most pure and white starch is made of the rootes of the Cuckow-pint ; but most hurtfull for the hands of the laundresse that hath the handling of it; for it choppeth, blistereth, and maketh the hands rough and rugged, and withall smarting.” Gilbert White records his observation that thrushes will scratch up the tubers and eat them in severe winters ; and that the berries are devoured by pheasants.! 1 The treatment recommended by Dr. Tanner for cases of poisoning by Lords and Ladies, or Cuckoo-pint (Arum maculatum), is to give emetics, unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place, when it may merely be encouraged by the use of diluents. If the irritant has passed into the intestines, it must be carried off by purgatives, especially by castor-oil. Emollient enemata, and fomentations to the abdomen will subsequently be found useful. DIVISION II _ PERIANTH INFERIOR AND OVARY SUPERIOR LiLy FAMILY (Lz/zace@)—There is great uni- formity in the structure of the flowers of this family. The chief differences are as follows :-— Since the parts of the outer whorl (calyx) are coloured, as are those of the inner (corolla), botanists call the whole a perzanth, as stated, and its individual parts eaves. There are usually three parts in each whorl, and these may be all free as ina tulip, or all:coherent as in the garden hyacinth. Then the stamens may rise freely from the recep- tacle as in a tulip; or they may be adherent to the free parts of the perianth as in the wild bluebell ; or again, if the perianth have its parts coherent as in the hyacinth, then the stamens are usually . adherent to it as in the hyacinth or Lily of the Valley. The pistil is composed of three carpels, coherent from base to summit as of a tulip, and may become a capsule as in the flower of colchicum, or - 169 170 POISONOUS PLANTS it may be a succulent berry as in the Lily of the Valley and Paris. Similar variations occur in members of the great Daffodil family (Amaryliidacee), and the reader may be reminded that the sole difference between these two families lies in the fact that the ovary and fruit are always “superior” in Lélzacee, but “inferior” in Amaryllidacee. Some plants of this family have poisonous bulbs, which have rarely caused mishaps, except perhaps by having been eaten for onions. It is as well to mention them. SNAKE’S-HEAD FRITILLARY (/vitillaria Melea- gris) is a native, but sometimes cultivated, known by its “squares” of different tints upon the perianth-leaves. It is sometimes white. CROWN IMPERIAL (/. zmperialis), supposed to be of Turkish or Persian origin, has long been ‘e cultivated. It bears a circle of pendulous flowers with a crown of foliage above them. The bulbs have a fcetid odour, described as being that of a fox, and are powerfully acrid and poisonous. Even honey from the flowers is said to be emetic. TuLip (Zulipa, species)—We have one native a species, the yellow-flowered 7. sylvestris. There has recently been found in the Tulip ae principle which has been called Tu/ipine, and if it be introduced into the system in any quantity it = yy > 4g “" MONOCOTYLEDONS 171 would not.be exempt from harmful results ; though the bulbs of 7. sylvestris are said to be eaten by the inhabitants of Siberia. LILY OF THE VALLEY (Convallaria majalis).— This occurs abundantly, wild, in certain woods in England. It has a long creeping stem and no bulb. It isa harmful plant in all its parts. The flowers are the most dangerous part, and should, therefore, never be put into the mouth. The scent of the Lily of the Valley, as of Hyacinths, is too strong to allow these flowers to remain in a bedroom. This plant does not often produce its berries, which are red, and would be therefore attractive to children. But it is advisable to warn them if they do appear, as well as against putting the flowers in their mouths. PARIS (Paris quadrifolia, Fig. 44)—This is a not infrequent plant in certain woods. It is a small herb, with usually, but sometimes more than, four leaves in a whorl. It has green flowers, the whorls being in fours, and subsequently a black berry (see Fig. 44). It is poisonous in all its parts, and the berries must be carefully avoided. The whole plant is emetic, and acts also as a sedative. Itis rarely that children have been poisoned, but when they have _ taken them, the symptoms are described as those JAS the kingdom, it needs no descrigees The nibs" ig : Fig. 44. Paris quadrifolia ; Paris, are very acrid, the deleterious principle residing a viscous juice which pervades the whole pla _ Other species of Scilla are much cultivated, Be probably contain a like property. The Squil druggists is a Mediterranean Spee ce whic » +t 4 wae < My fur me Ns. chess 4 ies > Lured > t Price eh st ¥ A | ~ » ae Sen) be a - we 4 Fat eee : ore ely AP Ee OY ee yyy Te, dis Wie (ee eae ALS Sie Eh viene Pgh 24K, Se SD Re eee Aa ai Ske - MONOCOTYLEDONS 173 Soe | ‘ dried scales of the bulbs constitute the medicinal a drug, A bulb of this was found attempting to grow after having been stowed away for more then twenty years in the Museum of St. Bartholo- x i mew’s Hospital Medical School. ; 3 -COLCHICUM FAMILY (Melanthacee). 1 Two tty genera only represent this family in Great Britain ; _ the Meadow-Saffron and the Scottish Asphodel. = COLCHICUM (Colchicum autumnale, Fig. 45).— _ This is a local plant, but oe ~ occurs in meadows in ca Ja parts of England. It is well known by its _ rose-coloured flowers re- cS ae those of the _ Crocus, hence it has been called the Meadow- Saffron or Autumn Cro- cus, but it has no relation- ae ‘ship with that plant. aS _ There are some twenty ~ European and Mediter- : oe species, but the ed f #%, above is the only indi- Fig. 45. Colchicum autumnale ; ¥f Colchicum. : : ee one ; several for- 174 POISONOUS PLANTS do not appear till the following spring, accompanied by the large capsule. It has only been separated from Lilies in consequence of the way its capsule bursts. By reference to the figure it will be seen ~ that the three carpels separate from each other entirely, so liberating their dark brown seeds, In tulips and lilies each carpel breaks down the back (corresponding to the outer lines in the figure). The Colchicum is acrid, and avoided by animals, probably from the nauseous odour. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Drying does not remove the deleterious property, Water — in which the leaves, flowers, etc., are macerated, becomes very poisonous; but the vegetative organs | are less poisonous after the maturation of the zs seeds; though they are always dangerous, in e consequence of the migration of the deleterious ~~ _— principle into the seeds on their ripening. This, called Colchicine, is not volatile. It is in August and September when the corms are richest in Colchicine. a = Both men and children have been accidentally _ poisoned ; but animals have been poisoned during May and from the middle of September to the end of October. In the first period, it is the leaves and — unripe capsules which they eat, and in the second — period it is the flowers, when they are consumed — with the grass. In case children should chew the petals or pick MONOCOTYLEDONS 175 out the young seeds and eat them, as they so often do with the Laburnum and other dangerous plants, it is advisable to caution them against such a practice. Thus ‘it is recorded that in the village of Schorren, in the Canton of Berne, a number of children died from eating the seeds, and fowls died from the same cause. The Colchicum is very abundant in some of the meadows in Switzerland. Boys have been fatally poisoned after eating the bulbs in the field where they found them. The Turks are said to infuse the flowers in wine to add to its inebriating effects. Unfortunate results have followed from misuse of Colchicum wine for gout and rheumatism, in which the principle Colchicine was too strong ; but only two cases are recorded of deaths in ten years. Mr. Blyth observes that he has seen cattle die from the effects of eating the Meadow-Saffron, and that farmers have had, in certain parts of the country, extensive losses from want of care and knowledge with regard to Colchicum poisoning. Mr. Blyth records also a case of a man, aged fifty, who died after taking twenty-eight Blair’s gout-pills. They consisted of finely-ground Col- chicum corms, but were so hard that the poison accumulated, as they remained undigested. An instance is recorded of a poor woman who picked up some bulbs of the Colchicum thrown BRE, SRC Wed Ree teen Oe eaR Para _, as the means employed to prevent death ‘in poiso: ie Aciaulecat drinks. © : described under Ramencutacem. pam - aad eat gy | away by a tradesman in Covent Garden m and taking them to be onions, ate them, and immediately. In another case a man ca some seeds, which proved equally fatah It is a member of the British Pharthasype nd has caused several accidents pee careless - 2 album and Vv. nigrum). These Eye species sometimes grown in gardens, being natives | 5 is ge Central and Southern Europe. They bear t spikes of greenish-white or purplish flowers, oval-ribbed leaves, like those of the com Plantain. ae bas. All parts of the plants are poisonous. D. does not remove the deleterious properties ; ~ are indeed said to contaminate other plants made into hay together with them. oth lig BY int anner gives emetics, purgatives, and ‘sti Colchicum. Dr. Brunton adds Tannic or Gallic ‘a: -* This name properly belongs to the 5 — MONOCOTYLEDONS 177 The only case known of poisoning was of pigs which had eaten the root; but not fatally. The taste is acrid and burning to the mouth, so that they are quickly rejected by animals. No case of human beings having been poisoned is known, as these Hellebores afford no attraction.! 1 Dr. Brunton gives as remedies to poisoning by Veratrum, stimulants, warm coffee, and a recumbent posture. Dr. Tanner says :—Emetics, purgatives and stimulants are the means employed to prevent death in poisoning by these plants. As an antidote to poisoning by Wzte Hellebore or Veratrine, Mr. Blyth empties the stomach by pump or by an emetic, mustard, zinc sulphate or ipecacuanha. Keep the patient lying down. Stimulants may be administered. An enema of hot coffee has been recommended. Keep the body warm with wraps, hot blankets, etc. DIVISION III THE GRASS FAMILY (Graminea), 2 2 ie | DARNEL (Lolium temulentum, Fig. 46).- —This - ws “= and a variety found in flax fields (L. 4inzcola) are credited with being the only grasses known ore . believed to be poisonous. — , It resembles the common is 2 rye-grass (not rye), which — ae is another species of the es same genus (L. perenne) in having its “spikelets” ‘3 standing edgcwaysa al = 2 ; the flowering stem (See. z figure), and protected by — a a single and much-elon- a gated outer “ glume.” or Wheat, it may be | membered, has its sp 7 Fig. 46. Lolium temulentum ; lets situated sideway af es against the stem protected by two outer glumes. 178 MONOCOTYLEDONS 179 Each spikelet consists of about five. distinct _ flowers. They have no perianth, but only a glume, ¢ the rib of which runs out and becomes an awn if present, as represented in the figure. Within this boat-shaped glume is another facing it with two ribs, called the “pale.” These two include three stamens (left-hand figure) and a pistil of two coherent carpels with feathery stigmas. In addition are two minute scales apparently of no function; perhaps the rudiments of a lost perianth. Darnel is a cornfield weed and an annual, and was believed by the ancients to be injurious, for Virgil speaks of the zfelix lolium. . The stem and foliage are not at all poisonous, | and often used as fodder, if at all abundant, as in Malta. It is only the grain which is poisonous, both to man and animals; but by no means always, for bread has been made out of it and eaten with impunity. On the other hand, when the grain has been ground up with wheat, notwithstanding that -# the latter had no odour or taste of any peculiar kind, the bread as poisoned those who ate it. In ' the South of France it is said that Darnel is some- times actually given to restless mules, as it tends to produce a comatose state; but many disorgan- izations of the digestion have occurred in cattle when grain-siftings were given to them which con- - _ tained, besides Darnel, seeds of Corn-cockle and other injurious plants. — 180 POISONOUS PLANTS Dr. Taylor could record no fatal case up to 1859. — The effects of eating bread containing flour of Darnel grains are described as resembling those of __ intoxication. Dr. Taylor says that the persons — -who partook of the bread staggered about; there was giddiness, with violent tremblings of the arms and legs, similar to those observed in delzrium tremens, but of much greater intensity; greatly impaired vision followed, every object appearing of a green colour to the sufferer; and accompanied by great prostration of strength.' . ES Besides bread, beer made with barley intermixed __ with seeds of Darnel has proved injurious. Inthis _ case the Darnel was put in purposely ta enhance its intoxicating powers. It was a common practice __ in the Middle Ages. i Comparing a grain of Darnel with one of wheat, — the former is longer and somewhat truncated, with _ a deep groove, and enveloped in the inner glume _ r “pale”; whereas wheat is always naked. The — starch grains are very minute, while those of wheat a are large and round. They more resemble those of maize or rice. 2 The poisonous property appears to belong to” “4 Bi ks Taylor recommends a free use of stimulants in the — case of poisoning by Darvel, and castor-oil. oe4 Dr. Tanner says :—Emetics, castor-oil, and stimulants. ; Cold affusions will often be useful, more especially if ther be much stupor. MONOCOTYLEDONS 181 two substances, a yellow matter and an extractive ; but little is as yet known about their compositions. Though poisonings have been frequent, deaths have been rare. It is recorded that an individual succumbed after eating bread which was made of wheat in the proportion of one-third, with two- thirds of Darnel. Thirty grammes of the meal of Darnel appears to be the limit which a man can take without dangerous symptoms following. The effects upon man are the production of vertigo, and great somnolence, coupled with other ailments. It is said that it is particularly in wet seasons that the dangerous properties are most conspicuous. As it is under moist conditions that the fungus known as Ergot attacks all kinds of grasses, it has been suggested that the poisonous properties of Darnel may be really due to an incipient stage of that parasite, or to some other which does not assume the Ergot-form. The same author describes. the effects of Darnel as “vertigo, dimness of vision, ' headache, a sort of drowsiness and stupor.” The result of eating rye-bread in which Ergot was. ground up was “nausea, vomiting, pain and vertigo in the head, soe, dilatation of the pup delirium and stupor.” Not only do these effects of Darnel and Ergot ~resemble one another, but Gerarde in describing yt fs a ean 182 POISONOUS PLANTS | the use of Darnel in his day (1597), siveede TI new bread wherein Darnell is, eaten hot, causeth drunkenness ; in like manner doth beere or ales: wherein the sects is fallen, or put into the. mault.” | ~ : It was also used for the same purpose that Ergot is employed medicinally at the present day. _ i = _ Dr. Taylor observes that rye-bread is not much pate used in this country, but the accidental presence of a S the Ergot (which particularly affects rye, supplying the Secale cornutum of druggists) may sometimes account for the symptoms of poisoning which have ay been observed. * 2, CRYPTOGAMS, ict TOADSTOOLS, ETC. (Fung?).—These are ome to every one, and the one zene commendation - tube ; or administer by the mouth either cenisiabae me zinc sulphate. Give a dose of castor-oil, and use an emeti remove the remains of the fungi from the intestines. — Si ti . lants may be given, and the body kept warm, INDEX Acacia, False, 77 “€ Achene,” 19 Aconite (Monkshood or Wolfs- bane), 43 Classical refs. to, 44 Poisoning of wells by, 45 — Whole families poisoned by, 46 Actea spicata (Baneberry), 49 “ithusa Cynapium (Fool’s Pars- ley), 86 Agrostemma Githago (Corn- cockle), 58 Alleluya (Wood-sorrel), 64 Almond, 18 Bitter, injurious use of, 80 Oil of, dangerous, 70, —_—_—_ 80 Flavouring, dangerous use of, 79 AMARYLLIDACEA, I61 Amygdalus communis (Almond), 78 Anagallis arvensis (Pimpernel), ERE BIOS Anemone, sp., 33 ff. —— Arrows poisoned with, 34 po eee Wood, injuring cattle, 34 Anthriscus sylvestris (Sheep’s Parsley), 98 _ Apium graveolens (Celery), 93 _ APOCYNACEA, 133 Apocynum (Dog’s-bane), 134 Apricot Kernels, dangerous, 82 Aquilegia vulgaris (Columbine), 47 ARALIACEZ, 100 Artstolochia, 144 ARISTOLOCHIACE, 144 Aristolochine, 145 AROIDEA, 165 Artemisia, sp., 104 Arum maculatum (Lords and Ladies), 165 ff. Asarabacca, 145 Asarum europeum, 145 Atropa Belladonna (Deadly Night- shade), 119 Atropine, 122 Aubergine, 118 Baneberry, 49 Batatas edulis (Sweet Potato), 115. Beech, 155 120 —— Berries, very poisonous, 120 Classical refs. to, 121 . Bindweed, Black, 141 Birthwort, 144 Bittersweet, 115 116 ; Black Bindweed, 141 Husks, injurious to cattle, 155 Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade), Berries, injurious to children, __ oD ‘ *t es CRE Liem ee ae i el Ge ee eet. ee. ee, - “9: int ES ad, oe Ae Tae TR pt rey ere, as Pate 184 INDEX _ _Ptack Bryony, 162 Eaten as Asparagus, 163 —— —— Fruit, poisonous, 163 Used for bruises, 163 Black Solanum, berries harmful, 117 Blue-bell, 172 Box, 153 Leaves used for hops, 153 injurious to animals, 153 Broom, Common, 71 Broomrape, 140 Broom, Spanish, 75 Bryonta dioica (Bryony), 83 se Sak Berries fatal to children, Root contains starch, 85 Buttercup Family, 30 Buttercups, 35 ff. Irritant juice of, 36 ff. Buckthorn, 609 ff. ' Berries, effects of, 70 Dye from, 70 Buckwheat, effects on sheep, 143 Buxus (Box), 153 a Cabaret (Asarabacca), 146 Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold), 40 Campanula, sp., 107 - Canterbury Bell, 107 fy. CAPRIFOLIACEA, 102 ; Carrot, Wild, 99 es: CARYOPHYLLACE®, 58 Cascara Sagrada, 70 : Castor- oil, 154 Seeds, fatal to children, etc., 154 _ Celandine, 56 A drastic purgative, 57 i kcelery,:93 -- 4 Used green in Malta, 93 Ceres and poppies, 52 _ Chelidonium majus (Celandine), 56 ef rf + (i Christmas Rose, 42 ; ? Cicuta virosa (Water:Hemiock 6 or Cowbane), 93, , ey 5 ‘‘ Circumscissile” dehiscence, 126 — ‘* Cleistogamous,” 63 oh tad Bas Clematis, effects of juice, 3300 Clematis Vitalba Sea Joy) o 31 Coal-plants, 157 . ‘* Cohesion,” 23 2 . ene Colchicine, 174 f tes Colchicum autumnale (Meadow Saffron or Autumn Crocus), 1 173, on Bulbs poisonous, 135 | Gout-pills, 175 : Columbine, 47 Tincture of seeds dangerous, 48 ComposiT& (Composites), 104 CONIFERA, 156 Ee Conium maculatum (Hemlock), 90 Convallaria majalis (oy of ‘he ; Valley), 171 be CONVOLVULACEA, I14 sett’ ; Convolvulus arvensis (Lesser de Bindweed), 141 ; Cordials, etc., dangers of, 53. Corn-cockle, 58 Corontlla, sp., 74 rusty Counterblaste, King James’, i ee Cowbane, 93 ron. Cow-wheat, 139 : Bread. — Ee: with seed of, 139 . Crocus, Autumn (Colchicum), 173. Croton-oil, 154 (note) — tS Crowfoot, Water, harmless, 35 came Crown Imperial, 170... 52a CRYPTOGAMS, 156, 182 Ae Cuckoo-pint, 165 CUCURBITACEA, 83 CUPULIFERZ, 155 Cuscuta (Dodder), mae “e ig “fio \ : - Fagopyrum INDEX Cyclamen, poisons fish, 114° Purgative, I14 sp., 113 _Cytisine, 72, 120 Cytisus, sp., 71 Daffodil, 161 - Bulb, emetic, 161 _ Dane-wort, 103 — Datura Daphne, sp., 146 Darnel, 178 or Ergot (?), 181 Intoxicant, 180 Stramonium apple), 123 Daturine, 122 Daucus Carota (Carrot), 99 ** Declinate ” stamens, 109 Delphinium, sp., 48 Devil-in-a-bush, 49 DICOTYLEDONS, 27 Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove), 137 **Dimorphism,” 112 D10scoREACE#, 162 Dock, 142 Dodder, 115 Dog’s-bane, 134 (Thorn- _ Dropwort, Water, kinds of, 194 ff. ‘*Drupe,” III Dutchman’s Pipe, 145 Egg Plant, 118 Elder, Common, 102 _ Ergot, 181 ERICACE, 109 Essence of Salt of Lemons, 64 Euonymus europeus (Spindle-tree or Prick-wood), 66 | Euphorbia, sp., 148 ff. EUPHORBIACE, 147 Euphorbium, Gum, 154 (vo/e) esculentum (Buck- wheat), 143 Fagus sylvatica (Beech), 155 Field Poppy, 54 Figwort, 136 Fitches, 50 Flag, yellow, or corn, 164 ** Floral receptacle,” 21 ** Florets,” 104 Flower, Parts of, 16 ff. Uses of, 109 ff. Fly-trap (Dog’s-bane), 134 ** Follicles,” 40 Fool’s Parsley, 86 Fatal to children, 89 Foxglove, all parts poisonous, 137 fFritillaria, sp., 178 Fruits, Nature of parts of, 19 Fungz (Toadstools), 182 Galanthus nivalis (Snowdrop), 162 Gall, of Scripture, 51 (zoe) “* Genus,” 28 Glauctum /uteum(Horned-Poppy), 55 **Glumes ” of Grasses, 178 GRAMINE&, 178 Guernsey Lily, 162 “* Guides ” in Flowers, 109 GYMNOSPERMS, 27, 156 Gypsophila Struthium, 61 ** Hashish,” 144 Heath Family, Edible fruits of, 109 Hebenon, 130 Hedera Helix (Ivy), 100 Hellebore, Danger of infusion, 42 —— Injury to cows, 42 sp., 41 —— White and Black, 176 Hemlock, Classical refs. to, 90, 91 —— Effects on animals, 92 Extract of, dangerous, g1 Influence of climate on, 92 Henbane, 124 —— Seeds, used for fattening cattle, 126 Root, eaten for chicory, 126 — 186 Henbane Seeds, for tooth-ache, 127 Heracleum Sphondylium (Hog- weed), 99 Hogweed, 99 Horned-Poppy, 55 Hyacinth, Scent of, injurious, 171 Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane), 124 Indian Peas, 77 Tobacco, injudicious use of, 108 ‘* Inferior,” 22, 27 Tonidium, 58 Tpecacuanha, 58 IRIDACE#, 164 Tris, sp. (Flag), ), 164 Dangerous to cattle, 165 Ivy Berries, dangerous to children, ~ 100, IOI Jalap, 115 Jews’ Apple, 118 Juniperus, sp. (Juniper), 160 Kalmia latifolia, 110 —— Highly narcotic, 110 — Poisons the flesh of hares, IIo Labrador Tea, III Laburnum, 72 Children often poisoned by, 72 _ Lactucarium, 106 _Lactuca, sp., 105 _ Lactucine, 106 - Larkspur, 48 ae* Latex,” 152 _ Lathyrus, sp., 76 — _Laudanum, 53 Laurel-water, dangerous, O1 — -Ledum, sp., 111 —__ ** Legumen,” 40 ue ¥ _ LEGUMINOS&, 70 Lesser Celandine, 9.1. Lesser Stitchwort, 61 Lettuce, Wild, 105 © Leucojum (Snowflake), ‘*Ligulate” corolla, 104 __ Ligustrum vulgare (Privet), 1 Lily, 169 pce —~ of the Valley, very I hart 171 La Linaria, sp. (Toadflax), 138 Lobelia, sp., 107 ff. ¥ . Locust-tree, 77 Lolium temulentum (Darel LORANTHACEA, 147 Lords and Ladies, 165 _ Scarlet) berries, in : -" > + 4 162 as 4 ous, 167 168 Lousewort, 138 - Love-in-a-mist, 49 © Lupin, 75 Lupinose, 75 Lupinus, sp., 75 ff. Mad-apple, 118 _ Maladie des bois, 155 Manchineel, 148 Mandragora, 122 Ancient use of, 123, Mandrake, 122 Marsh Marigold, 40 Melampyrum, sp., 139 Ave Melon Family, 83 ; Mercurialis, sp. (Mer Mezereon, 146 ah, Mistletoe, berries harr Monkshood (Aconi onite), 43 MONOCOTYLEDONS, 2; Morion, 123 _ ae Morphine, a i pes cx 10. Narcissus, sp., 161 . Bulbs emetic, 167 “‘ Natural Order ” (or Family), 26 Nerine, sp., 162 Nerium Oleander, 133 _ Nicot, Jean, 129 Nicotiana, sp., 127 _ Nicotine, 128 _ Nigella damascena (Love-in-a- - mist), 49 __ Nightshade, Deadly, 8 ie) _—— Woody, 115 Oak, 155. Young foliage injurious to cattle, 155 nanthe, sp. (Water Dropworts), | ff. 94 tl. Old Man’s Beard, 31 - OLEACEA, III Oleander, all parts poisonous, 133 Soldiers poisoned by, 134 Opium, 50 OROBANCHACE&, 140 Orobanche, sp. (Broomrape), 140 Oxalate of Lime, 143 Oxalic acid, 64 OXALIDACEZ, 63 Oxalis Acetosella (Wood-sorrel), 63 ** Pales” of Grasses, 179 _ Panaisie, 99 * Panicle,” 136 _ Papaver, sp. (Poppy), 50 ff. __ .» PAPAVERACE, 50 ---PAPILIONACEA, 71 Parsley, Beaked, 98 ae ~ Parsnip, Cow, 99 Water, go 27 ke ‘Pasque- flower, 33 ___“ Path-finders” on Corollas, 109 ve - Peach-nut oil, 79 i ee sp. (Lousewort), 138 INDEX Paris quadrifolia (Herb Paris),171 137 ‘© Perianth,” 27 Periwinkle Family, 133 Phaseolus vulgaris — (Scarlet Runner), 74 Pimpernel (injurious to birds), 113 Pine Family, 156 Pink Family, 58 Poison, Definition of, 14 POLYGONACEA, I4I Polygonum, sp. 141 Poor Man’s Weather-glass, 113 Poppy, 50 ff. — Classical refs. to, 54 —— Field, 54 Heads, 53 Portland Sago, 168 Potash, Binoxalate of, 64 Potato, 117 Raw, harmful to cattle, 118 Prick-wood, 67 Primrose Family, 112 PRIMULACEA, I12 Privet, III Berries, injurious to children, Ii2 PRUNE&, 78 Prunus, sp., 78 ff. Prussic acid (Egyptian refs, to), 89 Plants yielding, 82 Quercus, sp. (Oak), 155 RANUNCULACE&, 30 Ranunculus, sp. (Buttercup), 35 i Receptacular Expansion, 21 re: Tube, 22 - Regular and Irregular flowers, % 24 ae cA RHAMNACEA, 69 ee Rhamnus, sp. (Buckthorn), 69 Rheum, sp. (Rhubarb), 143. =. Rhinanthine, 139 yea Rhododendron, sp., 109 ff. 2 oa ay Medical uses of, 110 £ Rhubarb, 143 — peers: os a ae aL: te ee Soe i Faw & Ons Oe a 25 Nee ab ea ae ¥ bina se y a ee se he eas \ ; “* : - , Sig ~ x ~ 7 * a > Ricinus communis -(Castor-oil), 154 Robinia Pseud-acacta, 77 ROSACE, 77 Rumex, sp. (Dock), 142 Salt of Lemon, 142 Sorrel, 64 “‘ Samara,” III Sambucus, sp. (Elder), 102 _ Santonin, 105 __— Effects on sight, 105 - Saponaria officinalis (Soapwort), are Saponine, 61 : ‘< Save ” of Chaucer, 61 ‘ ; Savin, 160 Scarlet Runner, 74 Sczlla, 172 Scorpion Senna-tree, 74 Scrophularia, sp. (Figwort), 136 - Scrophularine, 134 4 Secale cornutum (Ergot), 182 Sheep’ s Sorrel, 142 Sium, sp. (Water Parsnip), 98 Snake’s-head Fritillary, 170 Snowdrop, 162 ‘ Snowflake, 162 : Soapwort, 61 on SOLANACEA, I15 _ Solanum, sp., 115 ff. Dulcamara (Bittersweet or -__ Woody Nightshade), 116 4 - Sorrel, injurious to children, 142 iar Southernwood, 104 :. Pe _ Sowbread, 114 __ _. Sparteine, 72 = _ Spartium — junceum (Spanish Age Broom), 75 __ __ Spear-wort, 38 Sa Species,” 25 —-—s ** Spikelets” of Grasses, 178 we8 Sainach, Wild, 152- Be _ Spindle-tree, 66 _ Spirea, sp., 83 \ Spurge, 148 ff. Caper, 149 — —— Family, 147. a ss Fatal to boys, 151 — Laurel, besrees dange r 146 — Milky juice, “dangerous BE. of, 148 2 Faby: Starch- -wort, 168 : ah ee Stellaria graminea, injurious: ta. horses, 61.2 tts ‘¢ Superior,” 27 aS fe Swallow-wort, 57 Re ee Sweet Potato, 115°. oie ae Syrup of Poppies, dangerous, 53 ae : Tamus communis (Black Hap 162 ! , . Re Taragon, 105 te Gy * Taxus baccata (Yew), AF ha Thorn-apple, 123 fae vi ~s : Seeds poisonous, as ie Sees THYMELACEA, 146 i oh Toadflax, 138 ar Toadstool, a// to be avoided, ‘18 Tobacco, 127 * Effects on athletes, 131 he Probably Gerarde (1597), 130 16th century, 129 —— Indian, 108 Introduction of, 129 — Juice, dangerous one 128 ; — Mentioned is Shake 130°59 PI Traveller’s Joy,. 3r ES ee Tulip, 170 ype UMBELLIFERA, 8 Ss ** Venation,” < 28 Veratrum, sp. (whit Hielepas ae Fe INDEX 189 Verbascum Thapsus (Great | Wood Anemone, 34 Mullein), 135 Sorrel, 63 Vetchling, Yellow, 76 Woody Nightshade (Bittersweet), VIOLACE, 57 115 Violet, 57 Water Dropwort, roots eaten as parsnips, 94 ff. Hemlock or Cowbane, 93 Pepper, 141 **Whorls,” Floral, 17 ff, Wild Hyacinth, 172 Wistaria sinensts, 74 Wolfsbane (Aconite), 43 Woorari poison, 114 Wormseed, 104 Wormwood, 105 Yellow Rattle, 139 Yew, 157 —— Classical refs. to, 157 Old foliage especially danger- ous to cattle, 157 Seeds, dangerous, 159 THE END _— NGAY. Lonpon & Bu sl zB 4 aS zZ 5 a cB > < ~ 1S) a e < = a PUBLICATIONS OF THE Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge ——_e+e— Botany. By the late Professor R. BENTLEY. Illustrated. Feap. 8vo, cloth boards, Is. Chemistry of Creation, The. Being a Sketch of the chief Chemical and Physical Phenomena of Earth, Air, and Ocean. By the late Ropert ELuis, M.R.C.S. A new Edition, revised by Professor BERNAYS, Ph.D., F.C.S. With numerous Illustra- tions. Fcap. 8vo, cloth boards, 4s. Diseases of Plants. By Professor MARSHALL WarD, M.A., F.R.S. Post 8vo, cloth boards, ‘2s. 6d. Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms: What to eat and what to avoid. By M. C. Cooke, MA., LL.D. With 18 coloured Plates, illustrating forty-eight species. Crown 8vo, cloth boards, 35. 6d. Fern Portfolio, The. By Francis G. Heatu. With 15 Plates, elaborately drawn, life-size, exquisitely coloured from nature. Cloth boards, 8s. Flowers of the Field. By the late Rev. C. A. JOHNS (29th Edition). Entirely re-written and revised by Professor Boutcer, F.L.S., F.G.S. With numerous Woodcuts. Small post 8vo, cloth boards, 7s. 6d. 2 Forest Trees of Britain. By the late Rev. C. A. Jouns. With numerous Woodcuts. Post 8vo, cloth boards, 55. Freaks and Marvels of Plant Life; or, Curiosities of Vegetation. By M. C. Cooke, M,A., LL.D. With numerous Illustrations. Post 8vo, cloth boards, 6s. How to Observe. Suggestions to Young Folk about Country Life. By CATHERINE PULLEIN. 18mo, limp cloth, 6d. — Making of Flowers, The. By the Rev. Professor G. HENSLow, M.A., F.L.S., F.G.S. Post 8¥o, cloth boards, 2s. 6d. Romance of Low Life Amongst Plants: Facts and Pheno- mena of Cryptogamic Vegetation. “By M: C. Cooke, M.A., LL.D. Post 8vo, cloth boards, 4s. : Selborne, The Natural History of. By the late Rev. GILBERT WHITE, M.A. Arranged for Young Persons. With Map and numerous Woodcuts. Post 8vo, cloth boards, 25. 6d. Wayside Sketches. By F. Epwarp Hu.mg, F.L.5., F.S.A. With numerous Illustrations. Crown 8vo, cloth, 45. Where to Find Ferns. By Francis G. HEATH. With numerous Woodcuts. Fcap. 8vo, cloth boards, Is. 6d. Wild Flowers. By ANNE Pratt, Author of “Our Native Songsters.” Two vols. With 192 coloured Plates. 16mo, cloth boards, 8s. SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE, LONDON : NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE, W.C. ~ New York Botanical Garden Library | Henslow, George/Poisonous plants in fiel 00086 5780 Tas wee Airway , ot ta