ELEMENTARY BOTANY 



113 



r 



probably on account of poison contained in the seeds. 

 It is a valuable bird-food plant and is highly ornamental 

 in its clean, robust growth and masses of purple-black 

 berries, and may be grown with impunity and even advan- 

 tage if the above simple precautions are understood. 



Corn Cockle, Agi'ostenwia gitJiago. — ^This is a well-known, 

 pretty, purple-red flower of the grain fields. Poisoning 

 occurs among poultry and all sorts 

 of domestic animals from eating the VSf 

 seeds in screenings or ground feed. 

 People are sometimes poisoned by 

 low-grade flour made from wheat 

 containing the seeds. This can 

 generally be distinguished by black 

 particles from the seed coats and 

 by a peculiar odor when the flour is 

 moistened. This plant should be 

 more generally understood, and 

 great care should be taken not to sow 

 grain containing its seeds. 



Black Cherry, Primus serotina. — 

 (Wild cherry, rum cherry.) This is 

 a valuable forest and cabinet-wood 

 tree, and its loads of black cherries 



make it one of our most important bird-food trees. The 

 fruit may be eaten with impunity if the seeds be discarded, «* 

 but it should be commonly understood that the kernels 

 and leaves may contain prussic acid in amounts sufficient 

 to cause serious poisoning. Children should be cautioned 

 against eating the kernels, and freshly cut branches should 

 not be thrown where stock may eat them. 



Fig. 48. Corn Cockle 



