132 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



bloom in May and June, later produce white ellipsoidal berries con- 

 taining about 12 seeds. (PI. XXVIIl.) The plant is generall}^ dis- 

 tributed in the State in moist, shady places. It very closel}" resembles 

 the plant known to botanists as Actaea arguta^ which has commonly 

 been mistaken for it, but which may at once be distinguished, when in 

 fruit, by its red berries. A. rubra^ which also has red berries, is 

 native east of the State. 



No cases of stock poisoning have been reported against this plant, 

 and indeed few cases are reported against the similar species which 

 are abundant both in the Eastern States and in Europe. Sheep are, 

 however, said to be poisoned in Europe by eating the white baneberry 

 {A. sulcata). The berry is probably the most poisonous part, exclu- 

 sive of the root. 



Experiments. — Two weighed portions of the fresh flowering plants, 

 exclusive of the flowering heads, were macerated in a mortar with 

 definite amounts, respectivelj^, of water and of 60 per cent alcohol, 

 both being added b}^ small portions successively. The water extract 

 became moldy before it could be used, and was therefore discarded. 

 The alcoholic extracts were placed together with the macerated fiber 

 and allowed to stand from Ma}'^ 14 to May 25. Forty-four grams of 

 the fresh plant were thus extracted with 200 c. c. of alcohol. The 

 alcohol from half of this extract was then driven off at the tempera- 

 ture of boiling water. To the residue, which was sirupy and ill 

 smelling, 50 c. c. of distilled water and 25 c. c. of 95 per cent alcohol 

 was added to bring it fully into solution again. Fifteen cubic centi- 

 meters of this, an amount representing 4f grams of the fresh plant, 

 was then fed with a stomach tube and syringe to a rabbit weighing 28 

 ounces. For checking the effect of the alcohol, the same quantity 

 was fed in the same dilution to another rabbit having approximately 

 the same weight; but although both were strongly affected no pro- 

 nounced differences were noted in the symptoms. It is quite possible, 

 of course, that any toxic effect that might have had a tendency to 

 show itself was counteracted by the comparatively large amount of 

 alcohol contained in the extract. A larger dose was not given 

 because it was thought inadvisable to give a larger dose of the alcohol. 

 The sirupy extract could not, unfortunately, be completely dissolved 

 in water, and could not on this account be very easily administered to 

 rabbits. On theoretic grounds and from the odor and taste we believe 

 that it would prove poisonous. The after taste of the leaves, a few 

 of which were chewed, was anything but agreeable, being very bitter 

 and nauseating, although at first no bad taste was apparent. After 

 drinking water, a sweet taste was noted fifteen to thirty minutes sub- 

 sequent to chewing the leaves. 



