THE P0LYPETAL.1^ S3 



Collection, — The herb and unripe fruits are collected 



in June from second-year plants. Hemlock is a bi- 

 ennial. 



Present Source of Supply. — Both the lierb and fruit 

 are in request by the wholesale druggist and herbalist 

 We appear to use about half a ton in the year. Since 

 the outbreak of the War the price has nearlj^ doubled. 



Water Hemlock or Cowbane (Cicuta vii^o.^a). — A 



deadly poisonous plant Superficially it is not unlike 

 Hemlock. To distinguish them the following points 

 must be noted: — 



1. The shape of the leaves (see fig. 50). Note that the 



segments of these are long, narrow, and serrated. 



2. Tliere are no bracts on the main umbel, but these 



are present on the secondary umbel. 



3. The root is white, fleshy, and contains a yellotv 



juice. 



The resemblance of the root to celery or pai^snip is the 

 cliief source of danger. In this organ the coniine con- 

 tained in Hemlock is also present in Cowbane, as well 

 as another poisonous substance, ciciitoxin, which has 

 a disagreeable acid taste. The presence of this latter 

 poison is a fortunate circumstance, as its acrid property 

 prevents the plant being eaten in large quantities. In 

 spite of this, however, fatal cases of poisoning have been 

 recorded. 



Hemlock Water Dropwort {dJnanthe crocata). — 



This is a tall plant which grows commonly in ditclies, 

 ^i^d can be recoo-nized by the following character- 

 istics : 



1. The stem is hollow and channelled. 



2. The fruit is egg-shaped, with ridges that are not 



prominent 



