144 POISONOUS PLANTS 



tops of the growing plants, as well as the haulm 

 when given with oats to horses, but especially to 

 sheep, to which the haulm is given both as fodder 

 and litter. The effect is a sort of temporary- 

 madness ; for as long as they were within a covered 

 sheep-fold they were all right, but when taken out 

 into the cold air for three hours, they became 

 agitated. Their heads and ears became swollen, 

 and they tried to strike their heads against 

 the walls. On being driven back they soon 

 recovered. 



The flowering tops produce similar effects, and 

 it is said that hares, if they have been eating them, 

 become an easy prey to the dogs, for they stagger 

 as if intoxicated. Swine suffer in the same way, 

 and butt against each other furiously. 



Though the stems and grain have been analyzed 

 carefully, nothing has been discovered to which 

 these alarming results can be attributed. 



The nearest comparison appears to be the Indian 

 Hemp, which produces very similar results, as seen 

 in a man who, under its influence, is said to "run 

 amok." Hence the word " hashish " has given rise 

 to our " assassin " ; that being the Arabic name for 

 hemp. 



Aristolochia Family (A ristolocJiiacece). — There 

 are two species of this foreign genus which are not 

 infrequently met with in gardens. 



BiRTHWORT {A. Clematitis) has erect, tubular, 



