184 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



1-2 EDWARD VII., A. 1902 



exclusively. Much has been written upon the subject and many theories advanced as 

 to the nature of the poison. Statements have appeared to the effect that a volatile 

 alkaloid, which has a toxic action, has been isolated from the seed, but all the announce- 

 ments to the effect that a poisonous principle has been identified — and they are several 

 — appear to lack definiteness and verification. As might be supposed, the matter has 

 received investigation at the hands of chemists and physiologists. In this connec- 

 tion we may state that Professor Wyndham R Dunstan, director of the laboratories 

 of the Imperial Institute, England, has for some time past been engaged on this diffi- 

 cult problem, working on Indian seed, so far, we understand, without being able to 

 isolate any poisonous principle. We may, therefore, say that as yet nothing of a de- 

 finite character has been evolved from chemical examination, and that the real nature 

 of the cause of lathyrismus is shrouded in mystery, though there is a strong probability 

 that the thorough researches of Professor Dunstan now in progress will eventually 

 furnish data of a satisfactory nature. 



In the endeavour to ascertain whether the grass pea as grown in Canada is iden- 

 tical with that of India, plants were grown by us from seed obtained in western Onta- 

 rio and from seed which came from the north-western provinces of India, the latter 

 being kindly furnished by Professor Dunstan. The bloom of these plants was examined 

 for us, in the absence of the botanist of the farms, by Professor Bemrose, of the Phar- 

 maceutical College, Montreal, to whom I am indebted for a most careful report on the 

 saaie. He says that there are no essential or important differences to be observed be- 

 tween them, and that both belong to the same species, L. sativus. The flowers from 

 the Indian seed are blue, while those from the Canadian seed have proved with us in- 

 variably white. This, however, is not regarded as denoting any fundamental or spe- 

 cific difference, since the flowers of many members of this order are known, under the 

 same conditions, to vary in colour — that is, may appear as white, blue or purplish. 



Certain differences are, however, to be noted between the Indian and Canadian 

 seed. Both are alike in having the flattened wedge-shape, but the former are dark gray 

 to very dark brown in colour and mottled, and possess a dark or black line running 

 two-thirds round the seed, while the latter, as far as is known to the writer, are in- 

 variably white or greenish-white. Whether these marked characters denote varietal 

 differences it would be hazardous to say, but at all events they are worthy of mention 

 in a consideration of this subject. 



We submitted the Canadian grown seed to a very careful and thorough investiga- 

 tion, following the elaborate scheme of Dragendorff for the isolation of alkaloids, 

 glucosides, &c, and also employed several other special processes for the detection of 

 poisonous principles. Quantities varying from 300 grams to 1,500 grams (11 ounces 

 to 3£ pounds) were used in the various processes of analysis. In no case, however, was 

 any poisonous principle or alkaloid obtained, all the results being negative in character. 



A feeding test was then instituted under our immediate supervision. Two fowls 

 (a cock and hen) were fed on this grain, practically exclusively from April 17 to June 

 28, 72 days. At the end of this period both fowls were in excellent condition, 

 lively and healthy. During the experiment they always had a good appetite and ate 

 the peas with avidity. They were kept on other grain, principally oats, from June 28 

 to August 20, in order to notice if any after effects of the pea ration might manifest 

 themselves, but the fowls remained healthy. In connection with this experiment the 

 following data were obtained and will be found of interest in showing that no injurious 

 results followed the consumption of the grass pea. 



During the 72 days of trial the fowls ate 23 pounds 3 ounces of grain. All that 

 they would eat was given to them twice daily, the amount varying from 1| ounces each 

 at first to 3£ ounces as they became accustomed to the feed, the average being from 2£ 

 to 2| ounces each per diem. 



The hen laid 13 eggs during the time of the experiment, in spite of the confined 

 quarters and the lack of that variety of food usually considered necessary for egg pro- 

 duction. 



