MOUNTAIN LAUREL. 439 
crops of these birds distended almost entirely with 
laurel buds; but that he has eaten freely of the 
flesh of these very birds, without any ill conse- 
quence whatever. 
On the human system, the Kalmia has been 
also said to manifest a deleterious influence. The 
late Professor Barton has adduced some evidences 
of its noxious character.* He states that the In- 
dians make use of a decoction of the leaves to de- 
stroy themselves. In an Inaugural Dissertation 
on two species of Kalmia, the latifolia and angus- 
tifolia, by Dr. G. K. Thomas, we are told that the 
leaves of these shrubs possess a decidedly narcotic 
property. Ihave not recently seen Dr. Thomas’ 
Dissertation, and therefore quote from memory 
and from extracts. From his experiments howev- 
er it appeared, that a very small quantity was suffi- 
cient to produce sensible inconvenience. Thirty 
drops of a strong decoction, given six times a day, 
are said to have occasioned so much vertigo, as to 
render it necessary to diminish the frequency of 
its exhibition. ; 
From my own experience, I am not disposed 
to think very highly of the narcotic poe of - 
® Dr. Racton states, that a few drops of the tincture ‘poured upon 
the body of a large and vigorous ee wast the aia ina 
very short time. Bh ; 
