38 POISONOUS PLANTS 



Another curious case occurred in America. 

 Specimens of the Field Buttercup (R. acris) had 

 been preserved in spirits of wine for more than a 

 year. They were subsequently given to a class of 

 students in the University of Pennsylvania. A 

 day or two afterwards an intense itching sensation 

 was felt by all who handled them ; while the skin 

 between the fingers became red and covered with 

 minute pustules. The acrid juice had evidently 

 been extracted ; and when the alcohol had evapor- 

 ated, it was left on the hands. 



The petals as well as the half-ripe green fruits 

 appear to be the most acrid ; so that children who 

 persist in putting everything into their mouths 

 should be warned. If the fresh-bruised leaves be 

 applied to the skin, a more or less active inflam- 

 mation will follow, forming a true blister. Recourse 

 was formerly had to this method in Norway 

 and Scotland, where true cantharides was not 

 procurable. 



Spear-wort {R. Flammula, Fig. lo). — This is 

 a common species in wet places, often growing 

 actually in the water. It has long, narrow, and 

 pointed leaves with a toothed margin. It is a very 



acrid species. 



The attention of farmers should be called to 

 this species of Ranunculus, because it has re- 

 peatedly killed horses and cows which have eaten 

 it, as it is often very abundant in boggy parts of 



