PLANTS POISONOUS TO EAT 193 
Being hungry the trampers bite off a piece of the 
root, and finding that it tastes good they continue to eat it. 
Before long distressing symptoms appear, leading within a 
few hours to violent convulsions and perhaps death. The 
plant of which they have eaten is probably the water hem- 
rains. 
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Fic. 179.—Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata, Parsley Family, Umbellifere). 
Lower stem and roots, cut vertically, 3 Flowering and fruiting 
top, 3. Part of leaf, 3. Fruit entire, i. Half of same, cut across. 
(Chesnut.)—Perennial herb 1-2 m. or more in height; roots spindle- 
shaped, 3-7 cm. long; stem rigid, hollow, smooth; leaves smooth, 
somewhat celery-like; flowers white; fruit becoming brown. 
poisonous throughout. 
Very 
Native home, North America, in damp soil. 
lock (Fig. 179) one. of our commonest swamp or brookside 
plants and one of the most deadly. Fatal cases like that 
described occur almost every year especially among chil- 
dren, and many cattle are poisoned by eating various parts 
of the plant. Sometimes poisoning results from drinking 
