76 POISONOUS PLANTS 



principally affected, the goat, ox, horse, dog, and 

 rabbit did not escape, nor did a man, after con- 

 suming the seeds of the yellow lupin. 



When animals are fed nearly exclusively on this 

 lupin and straw, the malady is particularly intense ; 

 whereas it is beneficial if it be combined with hay 

 or beetroot in certain proportions. 



The lupin appears to become inoffensive when 

 mixed with other herbage in " silo," as acetic fer- 

 mentation takes place, and the injurious principle 

 is dissipated. 



But, on the other hand, some toxic principles 

 are developed and accumulated in the topmost 

 layers. Hence caution is necessary, in using this 

 food, to remove these layers. 



Children, who are so fond of picking out and 

 eating unripe leguminous seeds, should be warned 

 against doing so, not only with the laburnum 

 and yellow lupin, but in the case of all other kinds 

 as well. 



Yellow Vetchling {Lathyrus Aphaca, Fig. 

 19). — A cornfield weed, from the midland counties 

 southwards, not common here, but frequent in 

 South Europe, is our only British leguminous plant, 

 unless we except the Broom, which is recognized 

 as poisonous. It is remarkable for having no 

 leaves, a pair of spear-shaped stipules doing duty 

 for them, while a long slender tendril replaces the 



