140 STOCK-POISONING PLANTS OF MONTANA. 



One of the most common species, E. flavum Nutt., yellow eriogonum, 

 is woolly throughout and has yellow, silky flowers, which blossom from 

 May to July (PL XXX). These plants are found everywhere through- 

 out the State on dry ranges, especially in poor soil. 



On June 11 the yellow eriogonum, with scanty foliage, was observed 

 in bud at an altitude of about 7,000 feet on Bridger Peak. It was 

 not at all plentiful and there was an abundance of good pasturage at 

 hand. An investigation of the plant was deemed much less important 

 than of several others which had been suspected more strongly, and 

 no experiments were attempted. Dr. S. B, Nelson^ fed 3i pounds of 

 E. heracleoides to a sheep within one day without any ill effect. 



SCARLET GAURA. 



{Gaura coceinea Pursh.) 



A nearly smooth herb, 6 to 12 inches high, with numerous narrow 

 leaves and rose-colored or scarlet flowers in simple spikes (PL XXXI). 

 The plant is common throughout the State on dry plains, blooming in 

 May and June. The general distribution of this species is from 

 Montana to Colorado and eastward to Arkansas. 



Experiment 1. — On June 3, 32 grams of this plant collected at 

 Livingston, May 30, about a week before the flowering time, was 

 offered, still fresh, to a li-pound rabbit. The whole quantity was 

 eaten up clean within five hours, but no ill effect was subsequently 

 noted. 



Experiment 2. — On June 4 50 grams of the plants collected at 

 Bozeman in the same stage of growth as before was fed within an 

 hour after gathering to the above rabbit. In this case the herbage 

 was eaten very slowly and without relish. A check experiment 

 showed that three and a half hours afterwards only 20 grams had 

 been consumed. There were no ill consequences. 



Experiment 3. — On June 9 25 grams of rather succulent leaves 

 from nonflowering plants nearly in bloom were eaten by a f-pound 

 rabbit. The same animal had eaten a small amount of lupine leaves 

 and seemed to be unwell prior to both experiments. It showed no 

 additional symptoms of uneasiness after eating the leaves. 



Experiment 4- — On June 10 a stable horse entirely refused to eat 

 the plant either in the flowering or nonflowering stage. 



TOWNSENDIA. 



{Townsendia parryi D. C. Eaton.) 



A low, erect, several-stemmed perennial, 2 to 6 inches high, with 

 hairy stems, small stemless leaves having entire margins, and large 



' U. S. Dept. Agr., B. A. I. Bui. 22, p. 14. 1898. 



