122 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



The different species of aconite are known to contain poisonous prin- 

 ciples, probabl}^ more virulent than those contained in their nearest 

 relatives — the larkspurs. Fortunately this species has an exceedingl}^ 

 limited distribution in Montana, being- found, so far as known, only in 

 the Bitter Root Mountains near Lolo and the Gallatin Range near the 

 Yellowstone Park. Since the altitude of both of these places is high 

 and the surrounding country not suitable for grazing, it is not likely 

 that the plant will ever become of great importance in stock poisoning. 

 Stockmen frequently speak of aconite poisoning, but all specimens of 

 supposed aconite which we examined proved to be the tall larkspur. 



PSOKALEA. 



{Psoralea tenuijiora Pursh.) 



A slender, much-branched, hoary perennial, with digitatel}^ parted 

 leaves, white or purplish flowers, and glandular pods. The plant 

 resembles the lupines in general habit. This species grows on drj^ hills 

 and plains at Great Falls, Billings, and Livingston. The plant has the 

 peculiar and rather agreeable odor characteristic of the dried roots 

 of another species of the same genus, P. macrostachya., which is used 

 to some extent by the Indians of Mendocino County, Cal., as a 

 fiber plant. Its general distribution is from Texas to Arizona, north- 

 ward to the Missouri River and eastward to Illinois. 



While botanizing at Livingston on May 30 attention was attracted 

 to this plant on account of the close resemblance between it in its 

 earlier or foliaceous stage of growth and the corresponding stage of 

 Mal'vasfrum coccineum. It grew plentifully on level pasture lands, 

 and although at that time it was fairl}^ succulent, it was left unmolested 

 among closely cropped grass, thus suggesting the idea that it was 

 probably poisonous. Upon chewing a small portion of a leaf that 

 idea was made still more emphatic. The taste was not at all bad, and 

 was even pleasant for a few minutes, but later the tongue was consid- 

 erably benumbed, a sensation which lasted nearly two hours. 



A quantity of the nonflowering plants 5 to 6 inches in height was 

 collected for further investigation, and was preserved in a good turgid 

 condition in a tin box until June 6. On June 3 an attempt was made 

 to feed the plants to a rabbit, but the animal refused to eat more than 

 four leaves, and as that quantity had no pronounced efiect the prepa- 

 ration of an extract was deemed necessary. The basal portion of the 

 stem, rather tough and fibrous, was rejected, but 36.5 grams of the 

 fairly crisp growth was obtained, and, after thorough grinding in a 

 sausage mill, was digested 1^ hours at blood heat with an equal weight 

 of distilled water and then filtered through a linen bag, 47 c. c. of 

 extract being obtained. For easy calculation, however, this was 

 diluted up to 50 c. c. Seven centimeters of this extract, representing 



