1 54 Poisonous Plants. [Sess. 



explain. Several cases have since occurred which place the 

 irritating properties of this plant beyond a doubt. Unlike the 

 stinging of a nettle, which is evident at the moment of con- 

 tact, the unpleasant consequences of touching the plant are 

 not felt till some time afterwards, and, instead of soon sub- 

 siding, may remain for some days. 



The hemp -nettle (G-aleopsis Tetrahit) possesses a poison 

 equipment which may be described as short and stiff bristles. 

 These, when the plant has come to maturity, are very dan- 

 gerous. About two years ago a man in the harvest -field 

 received a sting from this plant on the left hand, when symp- 

 toms of blood-poisoning soon set in. Medical aid was pro- 

 cured, but was of no avail, and he died in eight days from the 

 time he received the wound. Another case of Galeopsis poison- 

 ing came under my notice lately, where a man was punctured 

 on the arm by it. The pain ensuing became so alarming that 

 a medical man had to be called in, and the patient was under 

 treatment for some weeks. G. versicolor, a beautiful plant, 

 should be avoided for the same reason. 



I shall now notice briefly some posionous plants whose 

 juices from roots or foliage are taken into the human system 

 by the process of mastication. Monk's-hood or Wolf's-bane 

 (Aconitum Ncvpellus) is a well-known showy plant belonging 

 to the family Kanunculaceae. The roots of this species 

 have sometimes been mistaken for horse-radish, with fatal 

 consequences. Two Eoman Catholic clergymen lost their 

 lives by eating roots of Monk's-hood in mistake for the latter 

 wholesome condiment. The whole family of the Eanunculacete 

 are to be viewed with suspicion. There is a common opinion 

 that cows eat buttercups, and for that reason the butter is 

 yellow. Hence the common name of the plant. This, how- 

 ever, is erroneous. Eanunculus acris, for instance, which 

 abounds in many pastures, is never touched by cattle. There 

 is a popular notion that grazing animals are able to dis- 

 tinguish safe from noxious plants. But if they are trans- 

 ferred to a strange district their instincts fail them. The 

 great spearwort (Ranunculus Lingua), the lesser spearwort (R. 

 Flammula), and the celery-leaved crowfoot (R. sccleratus), I place 

 together, as all three come under the same category. One or 

 other of these forms is believed to have caused the death of 



