138 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



this evaporated extract, representing 4.4 grams of the fresh plant, was 

 injected under the skin of a 411^ ounce rabbit without causing anj'^ 

 marked symptoms. No further opportunity for securing a suppl}^ of 

 the plants was offered. The species is abundant in the Yellowstone 

 Park. 



A similar species, F. albicmiUs, which grows in the State of Wash- 

 ington, was fed by Dr. S. B. Nelson^ to a sheep without causing any 

 noticeably bad effects. In all 7i pounds was given in the course of 

 five days, but no more than about 2^ pounds was eaten within any 

 twelve hours of that period. 



SNOWBEERT. 



{Symphoricarpofi occidentalh Hook.) 



A low-branching erect shrub from 2 to 4 feet high, with small entire 

 leaves and small white or pinkish flowers which are densely covered 

 with long silk}^ hairs. The plant blossoms in June. This shrub, 

 called "buck brush" in many parts of the State, is known to be a good 

 honey-producing plant. Snowberry grows abundantly in nearly all 

 parts of the State, being especially abundant in the neighborhood of 

 Flathead Lake, where it is occasionally grazed upon by cattle and 

 horses. The general distribution of this species is from the mountains 

 of Colorado to Montana and eastward. As a rule, however, the leaves 

 of the snowberry are objectionable to stock and are rarely eaten by 

 them. The berries have, according to Irvin Cockrell, been suspected 

 of poisoning stock in winter. 



The taste of the leaves taken directly from the bush on June 6 was 

 not bad at first, but on prolonged chewing became disagreeably bitter. 

 Six rabbits refused to touch the leaves, but the seventh, which was 

 quite hungry, did venture to eat \\ leaves. It would not eat more. 

 No bad effect followed. The data in hand are not sufficient to condemn 

 the shrub. 



SLENDER NETTLE. 



{Urtica (jracllis Ait.) 



A smooth-stemmed perennial from 1 to 4 feet high, with stinging 

 hairs, lance-shaped leaves, and loose clusters of small greenish flowers, 

 which blossom in June and July. This species grows in Montana in 

 waste places in Gallatin, Meagher, Park, Madison, Lewis and Clarke, 

 Cascade, Flathead, and Missoula counties. The general distribution 

 of the plant includes the Rocky Mountains from California northward 

 and thence eastward across the country. 



The slender nettle is abundant in waste land and along creeks near 

 Bozeman, but is not looked upon as in any way objectionable to stock. 



1 U. S. Dept. Agr., B. A. I. Bui. 22, p. 13. 1898. 



