912 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION G, 
sometimes tends to bring on inflammation of the intestines. 
Further, when hungry sheep and cattle have partaken too freely 
of certain leguminous plants, especially when in flower or seed, 
they have died. But this is caused during the process of diges- 
tion, when great quantities of gases are made, which cause an 
abnormal distention of the stomach, thus preventing the lungs 
working freely, and, of course, strangling the animals; this is 
technically known as tympanitis, or hoven. On this account many 
leguminous plants are sometimes classed as poisonous, which are 
not really so. As has already been remarked, there is much 
diversity of opinion amongst pastoralists and farmers with regard 
to certain shrubs, and, although I append a list, with common 
descriptions, of those plants which I have received from the West 
Australian Government and from a large number of stock owners 
for identification as being suspected of poisoning or causing injury 
to cattle, horses, and sheep, there must be future careful investi- 
gation on the lines already indicated before anything very definite 
can be stated. 
RANUNCULACEZ. 
Ranunculus lappaceus, Sm.— Buttercup.” 
This perennial plant is common in certain shady and moist 
situations in the coastal districts, and on alluvial lands bordering 
some rivers and creeks. The leaves, which are chiefly radical and 
arranged on long stalks, are usually deeply divided into three or 
five deep lobes or segments. Flowers large, of a rich yellow 
colour. 
PAPAVERACEX. 
* Argemone mexicana, Linn.—“ Devil’s Fig,” ‘Prickly Poppy,” &e. 
This spiny-leaved, thistle-like Mexican plant has established 
itself in a few places, but principally near settlement. For further 
information as to its properties, &c., see my figure and description 
of the plant in the Agricultural Gazette, New South Wales, 
Vol. II, page 175, 1891; also in the publications of the West 
Australian Agricultural Department, 1897. 
ZYGOPHYLLE&. 
Zygophyllum idocarpum, F.v.M.—“ Bean Caper.” 
Although this small, many-branched annual has been suspected 
of poisoning or causing injury to stock, some allied species are 
well known vermifuges. Several have been figured and described 
by me in the Zown and Country Journal. 
LEGUMINOS.E. 
Brachysema undulatum, Ker.—“ Poison Bush.” 
An erect shrub, with weak or pendulous branches, which are 
silky-pubescent when young. The leaves are very variable, and 
