99 
Description of the Figures. 
1-2. Mucor exitiosus, showing racemose and corymbose arrange- 
ment of the sporangia; x 60. 
3. Fertile branch bearing two sporangia; a, entire, in optical 
section ; 5, the sporangial wall and spores have disappeared, 
exposing the columella; x 400. 
4, A ating and base of sporangial wall; x 400. 
5. Spores 400. 
6. Spores pettiinnting’s ; x 400. 
7. Portion of vegetative mycelium oe in the matrix, 
showing an irregularly swollen portion at a 
8. Portion of a sporangial wall studded with minute crystals of 
lime; x 800. 
IV.—PLANT POISONOUS TO TREK OXEN IN 
TRANSVAAL 
The following correspondence givesall the available information 
as to a plant extremely fatal to oxen in the Northera Transvaal. 
Its deleterious properties appear to have been known locally for 
some ee — only recently to have attracted more general 
attentio: 
WAR OFFICE to ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW. 
(116 Cape/1657.) War Office, London, S.W., 
8th N ace hae 1900. 
SIR 
’ 
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to eke 
for your consideration a report on the death of a number of trek 
oxen alleged to have been poisoned by eating certain plants while 
grazing in South Africa. 
Specimens of («) a poisonous piant, ELuphorbium Se Ot and 
(4) a non-poisonous plant are enclosed, and the Sec 
would be obliged if you would cause them to be papi and 
identified, sea would be grateful for any information that may be 
forthcoming as to their alleged poisonous action. 
Iam, &c., 
The Directo (Signed) R. H. KNox. 
Royal Rotauis Gardens, Kew, 
(Enclosure.) 
To the PRINCIPAL VETERINARY OFFICER, SOUTH AFRICA. 
“ Re alleged poisoning of trek the result of eating certain 
plants when at the grazing groun 
I have seen no cases myself, aid am indebted 2 Veterinary 
Lieutenant Sawyer for the symptoms and post-mortem appearances 
He states: “ In the majority of cases progress is rapid ; often the 
first thing noticed is the animal halts, trembles for a few seconds, 
and drops dead. In cases less severe the animal is tympanitic, 
lies down, groans with pain, there is a green epoca from both 
nostrils, and symptoms of gastro-enteritis are present 
