Dec. 1899.] BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBUKGH 269 



half of August, there appears to be less danger to beasts 

 from eating the plant ; but this is not to be depended on, 

 as the leaves and twigs possess powerful toxic properties. 

 From the middle of August until the middle of October tlie 

 second period- of budding takes place, and during this time 

 great caution must be exercised. From the middle of 

 October until the following April the plant does not seem 

 to possess such powerful poisonous properties, and, as far as my 

 investigations have gone, sheep appear to browse upon the 

 ground where A. polifolia grows without suffering any harm. 



Dr. E. Stewart MacDougall, in the paper I have already 

 referred to, mentions that " no chemical antidote is known 

 for andro7nedotoxin." 



This leads one to infer that cases may be difficult to treat 

 medicinally, and that, at least, prevention is better than cure. 



As to the potency of the poison, some conception may 

 be formed if it is remembered that two grammes of the 

 leaves of A. Japonica killed a rabbit ; and, probably, anclro- 

 mcdotoxin is present in A. polifolia in equal quantity, 

 and will act with equal effect. It may aid the mind in 

 grasping what the power of such poison really means if I 

 point out that two grammes is equal only to 3 0*8880 grains, 

 and, as each pound avoirdupois contains 7000 grains, such 

 a quantity is sufficient to poison 226 rabbits. 



Some of the symptoms of andromcdotoxin poisoning 

 appear to be derangement of the nervous system ; 

 abdominal pain, probably from acute inflammation ; great 

 difliculty in swallowing. Some animals suffer intense 

 agony. The poison acts quickly, and sometimes death 

 takes place in a few hours, but more frequently in about 

 tw^enty-four hours. If the animal survives for a period of 

 thirty-six hours after eating the plant, there is generally 

 some hope of recovery. After three or four days, the 

 animal generally has recovered. 



Having referred to the poisonous effects of A. polifolia, 

 it may be as well to give one quotation as to what is said 

 about the virtues of the plant. In Gray's supplement to 

 the "Pharmacopoeia," second edition, 1848, p. 362, it is 

 mentioned that A. polifolia is used in fomentations and 

 baths against rheumatism and paralytic affections, causing 

 perspiration. It dyes a fine yellow, and tans leather. 



