DICOTYLEDONS 85 



The large root contains a great quantity of 

 starch, which one could easily separate with cold 

 water, when the poisonous juice would be eliminated ; 

 just as in preparing tapioca from the very poisonous 

 plant from which it is obtained. 



It may be added that the fruit of all members of 

 this family contain in the wild state an active 

 principle which must be regarded as being more 

 or less poisonous ; especially in the pulp. This is 

 the chief cause of disorders frequently produced 

 by cucumber, melon, etc., in certain habits and 

 constitutions. Under cultivation the principle is 

 so attenuated in the mass of watery cellular tissue 

 that they, of course, become perfectly harmless and 

 delicious fruits.^ 



Carrot Family {UmbelUferce), — This is a very 

 large family, showing great uniformity in the 

 structure of the flowers and fruits, as well as in 

 the foliage and roots ; so that many mistakes have 

 been made by eating poisonous members of the 

 family for harmless ones, for although such plants 

 as the parsnip and carrot, as well as parsley 

 and fennel, are valuable kitchen herbs, others like 

 the Hemlock and Cowbane are notoriously of a 

 dangerous character. Hence it is most important 

 that their distinguishing features should be care- 



^ Dr. Tanner recommends emetics to remove the poison of 

 Bryony^ unless spontaneous vomiting has freely taken place. 

 If it has passed into the intestines castor-oil must be given. 



