WRONGLY SUSPECTED SPECIES. 147 



the leaves of this plant with considerable relish, but at other times of 

 the year they seldom touch it. The habits of horses and cattle in 

 regard to it vary according to the individual animal, some eating it 

 greedil}^ and others passing it by. It is doubtf vil if its forage value is 

 equal to that of some of the native legumes, but it occurs so abundantly 

 throughout such a wide range that it must be considered of some eco- 

 nomic importance. Large quantities of the plant were fed to horses 

 and sheep without producing an}' bad effects, and animals were 

 observed eating it freely on the ranges at different seasons of the 

 year. 



In two feeding experiments with rabbits 20 to 26 grams, respectively, 

 out of 50 grams of the fresh leaves of the flowering plant offered were 

 eaten without any apparent ill effect by two hungry l|^-pound rabbits 

 within six hours. In another experiment 17 out of 50 grams was 

 eaten. In every case the material was eaten very reluctantly, and the 

 remainder of the 50 grams was refused in spite of hunger. No symp- 

 toms of poison were presented. 



Our observations indicate that, as a rule, the leaves of the plant are 

 not an acceptable food, and it is possible that if eaten in large quanti- 

 ties the}^ might prove deleterious if not poisonous. All parts of the 

 plant have a decidedl}^ resinous taste. According to Rj'dberg, the 

 seed, root, and young stalks are used for food by the Indians. A very 

 similar plant, Wyethia hmgicauUs^ is used for food by some of the 

 California Indians, but in this case onl}^ the seed and the lower third 

 of the tenderest leave;.:, together with a part of the flower stalks while 

 thej' are still crisp and tender, are eaten. The root, which is far more 

 resinous, is considered a valuable medicine. 



WILD GERANIUM. 



{Geranium viscosissimwii Fisch. & Mey.) 



A perennial herb 2 to 4 feet high, hairy throughout, with sharply 

 serrate leaves and ^conspicuous purple flowers (PI. III). The plant is 

 common in vallej's and on moist, shady hillsides in all parts of the 

 State. The general distribution of this species is from California 

 through Montana to the Saskatchewan. 



On June 7, 19^ grams of the fresh leaves was offered to a young 

 rabbit which had been deprived of its breakfast. It did not take to 

 the ration readil}^, but about half of the quantity was eaten at 5 o'clock, 

 when an accident put an end to further observations for the da}'. No 

 ill effect was noted up to that time. 



At Pullman, Wash.,^ 3i pounds of the fresh leaves of a similar 

 species was fed in the course of a day to a sheep without causing any 

 ill effect. 



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



