DICOTYLEDONS 1 53 



severely from eating it fried with bacon. Some 

 fishermen ate it with soup, and all were seriously- 

 ill an hour after the meal, showing all the symptoms 

 of narcotic irritant poisoning. Two of the children 

 died the next day. 



Box {Buxiis sempervirens). — This is a native of 

 Box-hill, but has been grown as a garden shrub 

 since the times of the ancient Romans, who made 

 hedges with it, often cutting it into fanciful shapes, 

 or what is called topiary work. The wood is very 

 close-grained, so that it has been invaluable for 

 wood-engraving. 



All parts of the Box emit a disagreeable odour 

 and taste, being bitter and nauseous, and have 

 affected both men and animals. With the former 

 it has generally been the result of a fraudulent use 

 of Box-leaves instead of hops in beer, and in mixing 

 them with senna-leaves. 



Animals have injured themselves by browsing 

 upon Box shrubs, especially in arid districts de- 

 ficient in proper herbage. Camels in Persia have 

 thus suffered. In Western Europe the cuttings of 

 the dwarf box edgings have poisoned animals, even 

 pigs have died from eating them, as it is the 

 leaves and bark especially which contain the 

 poisonous principle, which is emeto-purgative, and 

 can be fatal in its effects. Whether the flesh of 

 animals poisoned by Box can communicate the 

 deleterious property to man, is not known for 

 certain. 



