DICOTYLEDONS 33 



times raise sores on their arms by means of the 

 juice of this plant rubbed into scratches, as well as 

 that of some species of Ranunculus^ in order to 

 excite commiseration. The juice is, as in all other 

 species, acrid and narcotic, but the poison is readily 

 dissipated by heat. If the fresh leaves be chewed, 

 there will be felt in the mouth a sensation of heat 

 and smarting, and the tongue will be covered with 

 small vesicles, which turn to ulcers. If swallowed, 

 the juice or extract produces all the symptoms of 

 poisoning by the acrid poisons. In early spring 

 before it is much developed, asses and goats have 

 eaten the young shoots with impunity. They are 

 also eaten pickled in vinegar in some countries ; 

 taken internally in a more harmful quantity, they 

 act as a diuretic, and are violently purgative, produc- 

 ing dysentery, and can in rare cases cause death.^ 



Anemone {^Anemone, sp.). — Only two species 

 represent this genus in England. 



Pasque-flower {Anemone Pulsatilla).— T^A-s^ 

 has a thick and somewhat woody rootstock, from 

 which much-dissected leaves arise, covered with 

 silky hairs, more especially when young. The 



1 The best antidotes, as given by Dr. Brunton, are first 

 endeavouring to empty the stomach by means of emetics ; 

 then the use of spirits, or ammonia, and warmth. Other 

 remedies, as Digitalis and Atropine, must be left to the 

 physician. The preceding apply to Aconite-poisoning ; but 

 the poison of the whole Family appears to be of the same 

 kind. 



C 



