82 Liliacese, Graminex [CH. 
the animal keeps its snout buried in the litter. There is also extremely 
foetid diarrhoaa, with dysentery. 
REFERENCES. 
4, 16, 27, 73, 81, 128, 130, 141, 148, 151, 
190, 192, 203, 217, 255. 
GRAMINE^E. 
Darnel (Lolium temulentum L.). The grass known as Darnel, of 
the same genus as rye-grass, has been recognized for centuries as a 
harmful species, and it is considered by some authorities that it is really 
the tares of Scripture which the enemy sowed among the wheat. Its 
effect on eyesight was known to the ancients 1 , and its objectionable 
character was noted by Shakespeare : 
"Want ye corn for bread? 
I think the Duke of Burgundy will fast 
Before he'll buy again at such a rate: 
'Twas full of darnel: Do you like the taste?" 
1 Henry VI, Act III, Sc. 2. 
Its effect when mixed with flour was also referred to by Gerarde (1597) : 
"The new bread wherein Darnell is, eaten hot, causeth drunkenness; 
in like manner doth beere or ale wherein the seede is fallen, or put into 
the mault." 
Before the seeding stage is reached Darnel seems to be quite suitable 
as a food for stock, only the seed or grain being poisonous, and this not 
invariably so. The chief danger perhaps is that the grain may not be 
thoroughly removed from cereal grains, and may thus find its way into 
bread or cereal stock foods. Though it has caused many cases of human 
poisoning, fatal results seem to be rare: Dr. Taylor could record no 
fatal case up to 1859. Darnel mixed with barley caused the poisoning 
of pigs (Veterinarian, 1842). Johnson and Sowerby (1861) state that 
Darnel has in several cases proved fatal to horses and sheep. The same 
authorities quote a case in which 80 inmates of Sheffield Workhouse 
were attacked by violent vomiting and purging from the use of oatmeal 
containing Darnel. At the Veterinary School at Lyons a horse was 
1 E.g. Ovid says "Let the fields be clear of darnel that weakens the eyes." In 
Plautus' comedy, The Braggart Soldier, one servant says to another, " 'Tis a wonder 
that you are in the habit of feeding on darnel with wheat at so low a price." 
" Why so ? " " Because you are so dim of sight." [Agric. Jour. Union of S. Africa, 
Jan. 1914, p. 82.] 
