72 Amentaceae, Com/eras [CH. 
Brookes and Yeomans described (Veterinary Journal, 1912) an 
instance in which 30 animals were affected and 9 died. The chief 
symptoms were a dull and depressed appearance, entire absence of 
appetite and rumination, a weak feeble pulse, subnormal temperature 
and disinclination to move. Three cases showed a mucous and blood- 
tinged discharge from the nostrils and anus, and these all died, one 
eight days after being seen and the other two the day afterwards. 
Obstinate stoppage was noticeable in all cases, and the faeces were inky 
black, stinking and very thick. Yeomans observed similar symptoms 
of acute digestive disturbance ; later the eyes had a sunken appearance, 
diarrhcea set in, the fasces being dark coloured, offensive and blood- 
stained. The temperature was at first normal and later subnormal, 
and in fatal cases death took place in from 3 to 7 days. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 13, 20, 26, 29, 70, 73, 130, 144, 190, 240, 255. 
CONIFERJE. 
The only Conifer which commonly causes poisoning of live-stock is 
the Yew, but injury might more frequently occur were it not for the fact 
that Conifers generally are unpleasant to the taste, and are hence avoided 
by stock. Many species, however, contain Tannin, Resins and Gums, 
Volatile Oils, and an acrid substance which may cause inflammation of 
the digestive and urinary tracts, while Tanret found in the young shoots 
of Picea the bitter glucoside Picein (C 14 H 18 7 H 2 0) ; Kawalier and Thai 
found the intensely bitter glucoside Pinipicrin (C 22 H 36 1:l ) in Pinus 
sylvestris, Thuja occidentalis and Juniperus Sabina ; and Kubel isolated 
Coniferin or Abietin (C 16 H 22 8 ), a slightly bitter glucoside found in 
Abies excelsa, A. pectinata, Pinus strobus, Larix europcea and other 
conifers. It is not clear, however, whether these substances are at all 
poisonous. It is quite possible that if eaten in quantity the foliage of 
some Conifers may induce poisonous symptoms and even death in the 
animals concerned. It is noteworthy, however, that according to. Pott 
the needles of Picea excelsa, Abies pectinata, Larix europcea, and Pinus 
sp. are, in the mountainous districts of Steiermark, Karnten, and Tyrol, 
extensively fed to cattle and sheep, usually as a supplementary food, 
either fresh or dried and ground up chiefly perhaps as an appetiser, 
and in small quantities as a dietetic ; Juniperus sp. are similarly utilised 
in some districts. It is not known to what extent the foliage may be 
