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FORAGE PLANTS. 129 
48. Flindersia maculosa, 7:v.17., (Syn. F. Strzeleckiana, F.v.M. ; 
Ela@odendron maculosum, Lindl.; Strzeleckya dissosperma, 
F.v.M.); N.O., Meliacez, B.FI.,i.,389. &. Strzeleckiana in 
Muell. Cens., p. 9. 
‘“‘ Spotted Tree,” ‘‘ Leopard Tree.” 
During periods of drought sheep become exceedingly fond of 
the leaves of this tree, which they greedily devour, as well as the 
twigs up to the size of a goose-quill, and hence the tree is in 
danger of extermination, as it has not the recuperative power of 
some trees. 
Northern New South Wales and Queensland. 
49. Gastrolobium spp., especially G. obovatum, Benth.; G, tri- 
lobum, Benth; G, spinosum, Benth., (Syn. G. Prezss77, Meissn.), 
G. oxylobioides, Benth.; G. calycinum, Benth.; G, callis- 
tachys, Meissn., (Syn. G. /ineare, Meissn.); G. bilobum, R.Br., 
N.O., Leguminose, B.F1., ii., 101-7. 
Commonly known as “ Poison Bushes.” At the Blackwood River, 
according to Oldfield, G. calycinum is knownas the “ York Road Poison 
Bush.” 
These plants are dangerous to stock and are hence called 
“Poison Bushes.’’ Large numbers of cattle are lost annually in 
Western Australia through eating them. 
The finest and strongest animals are the first victims; a diffi- 
culty of breathing is perceptible for a few minutes, when they 
stagger, drop down, and all is over with them. After the death of 
the animal the stomach assumes a brown colour, and is tenderer 
than it ought to be; but it appears to be that the poison enters the 
circulation, and altogether stops the action of the lungs and heart.* 
The raw flesh poisons cats, and the blood, which is darker than 
usual, dogs; but the roasted or boiled flesh is eaten by the natives 
and some of the settlers without their appearing to suffer any 
inconvenience. (Drummond, in Hooker’s fournal of Botany.) 
The blossoms are also frequently eaten by animals, and are, 
I think, the most poisonous part, for the greatest number of sheep 
are lost from the poisonous effect of this plant at the period of its 
* See also an interesting account of some physiological experiments to ascertain the 
nature of the poison, Pharm. F¥ourn., vi., 312 
K 
