LESS IMPOETANT SPECIES. 121 



Experiment 1. — On June 2, 1^ mgs. of a solution of Merck's sul- 

 phate of veratrine was fed at 3.27 p. m. to a 63-ounce rabbit. No 

 pronounced effect was noted up to 4.25, when 7 mgs. more was fed. 

 The rabbit died from the effects of this dose in about one minute. 



Experiment 2. — On the same day 7 mgs. of the same solution was 

 fed to another rabbit, weighing 26 ounces. Death took place inside of 

 two minutes. 



Experi/nent 3. — On June -l, 7 mgs. of the same solution of vera- 

 trine sulphate was quickly mixed in a test tube with 3 c. c. of the 

 permanganate solution noted above, and fed within four minutes to a 

 large white rabbit. The weight of this animal was not ascertained, 

 but it was not less than 2i and was probably about 3 pounds. The 

 permanganate solution, which has a deep-purple color, was added to 

 the veratrine solution, a cubic centimeter at a time. In the first two 

 instances the purple color was changed ver}" rapidl}', the resulting 

 liquid presenting a straw-colored appearance, but the last cubic centi- 

 meter was not completely decolorized inside of a minute. No marked 

 turbidity was produced. The whole of the mixture was then immedi- 

 ately fed, at 3. 53 p. m. , to the rabbit. The animal was carefully watched 

 until 5 p. m., but appeared to remain in a perfectly normal condition. 

 It was also in perfect health on the next day. 



Experiment 4- — On June 14, 500 mgs. of an aqueous veratrine sul- 

 phate solution was poured, b}' means of a funnel and a rubber tube, 

 directl}^ into the stomach of a 50-pound sheep. This was followed 

 almost immediately by 25 c. c. of a 1 per cent solution of permanga- 

 nate of potash with a 1 per cent addition of aluminum sulphate, and 

 the whole was washed down into the stomach with 100 or more cubic 

 centimeters of pure well water. The time of administration, which 

 was begun at 3.41 p. m., did not exceed two minutes. At 4.25 there 

 was a slight indication of weakness in the hind legs, but the animal 

 could walk as well as usual. This was the only symptom that was 

 exhibited. When let out of the pen the next morning it grazed as 

 heartily as ever. 



ACONITE. 



{Aconitum colunibianum Nutt.) 



An erect, smooth, single-stemmed plant 2 to 5 feet high, with a leaf}- 

 base and a long terminal cluster of blue flowers. The divisions of the 

 leaves are broader and less conspicuously separated from one another 

 than in the species of larkspur. In Montana the plant grows in Gal- 

 latin and Park counties, near the Yellowstone Park and on Lolo Creek. 

 The distribution of this plant in the United States outside of Mon- 

 tana includes South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, 

 Oregon, and California. 



