v] Coniferae 73 
fed without harmful consequences, but Pott states that large quantities 
can cause hsematuria and similar efiects, and hence only small quantities 
should be used, and even so may impart a bad flavour to the milk of cows. 
All green needles frequently cause digestive troubles. 
A cqse has recently (January, 1916) been reported to the author in 
which a Douglas Fir was cut down and a small branch about 4 ft. long 
was flung over into a field. Two sheep nipped off the bark and nearly 
died, but both vomited and recovered. The farmer reporting this 
experience recalls that over 30 years ago, after a gale, a lot of trees 
were blown down in a small plantation, and in severe weather the sheep 
ate the bark to such an extent that 80 of them aborted, while of the 
ewes which did not eat the bark none aborted, so that it would appear 
that the bark of Scotch Fir and Spruce was to blame for the loss. 
The foliage of the Yew (see below) is well known to be danger- 
ously poisonous to stock, and has caused many losses. 
In regard to Cupressus the only cases of poisoning which have been 
traced are recorded in The Journal of the Board of Agriculture (October, 
1905). These cases were reported as follows: 
"Two instances have recently come before the Board in which the 
death of cattle has been attributed to the poisonous effects of Cupressus 
macrocarpa and C. nootJcatensis. In one case four bullocks died, and on 
the internal organs being forwarded by the owner to the Royal Veterinary 
College, Professor McFadyean reported that from the inflamed condition 
of the fourth stomach and from the description of the symptoms he had 
little doubt that the cause of death was irritant poison. Some pieces 
of Cupressus macrocarpa were found in their stomachs, and in default 
of any other explanation it was suggested that this plant might have 
some poisonous properties. 
"In another case three heifers are stated to have suffered from 
irritant poison ; one of them died, but the other two recovered on removal 
to another field. The veterinary surgeon in this case also attributed 
the death to a Cupressus (C. nootJcatensis) growing by the side of the field. 
"The Board have no information as to the poisonous properties of 
these two species, nor can any record be found of any similar case which 
would tend to confirm the suspicion that they are poisonous to cattle." 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 76, 144, 213, 252. 
Yew (Taxus baccata L.). As stated above, the Yew is the only 
British conifer that is likely to prove seriously poisonous to live stock. 
