no POISONOUS PLANTS 



dorecB). They all possess acrid narcotic properties. 

 Thus R. chrysaiithum, a small shrub of Siberia, has 

 stimulant and narcotic virtues. The leaves are 

 used in infusion for rheumatism in Siberia. R. 

 ferrugineum of the Alps resembles it in its 

 properties. 



The sub-genus Azalea has a species {A. Pontica) 

 which is possessed of highly narcotic properties. 

 It has been suggested that it was the honey of 

 this plant which caused so much destruction in 

 Xenophon's army in the retreat of the Ten 

 Thousand. It is said that the honey collected 

 from this plant has the same effect on the system 

 as Darnel {Lolium teniulentnui). It grows abun- 

 dantly in Asia Minor and in the neighbourhood of 

 the Black Sea ; and it is stated that goats which 

 eat the leaves suffer in consequence, and that it is 

 fatal to cattle and sheep. 



Kalmia latifolia is frequently grown in shrub- 

 beries, the flower of which is remarkable for 

 having the stamens bent down and thrust into 

 little pockets in the corolla. It is one of the most 

 dangerous of the whole family. It is found all over 

 the United States, and is there called Mountain 

 Laurel. The leaves are narcotic and poisonous. 

 Death has occurred from eating the flesh of par- 

 tridges and pheasants which have fed on them — 

 presumably the buds or seeds — during the winter. 

 Similarly the flesh of hares which have been 



