POISONOUS PLANTS 299 



July to August, and bear long drooping bracts. The 

 roots are spindle-shaped, resembling radishes. The 

 plant emits a nauseous odour when bruised, and is a 

 virulent poison, all parts being toxic. The foliage and 

 root have been the cause of death owing to their re- 

 semblance respectively to parsley and radishes. Animals 

 appear to refuse it owing to its fetid odour. The toxic 

 principle is an alkaloid called Cynapine. (See also p. 83.) 



ERICACE^ 



Rhododendrons and Azaleas are both poisonous in 

 character, some kinds especially so. Cornevin says 

 that all species of Rhododendron are suspected, but 

 mentions in particular R. ferrugineum L., R. hirsutum L., 

 R. Chrysanthemum L., and R. ponticum L. Both English 

 and Belgian veterinary surgeons have published records 

 of poisoning of sheep and goats due to R. pontt'cum, 

 and Cornevin remarks that farmers will be well advised 

 to ensure that this plant be always kept out of the 

 reach of ruminants. 



Of the Azaleas, Cornevin takes as a type A. pontica, 

 which he says is a very poisonous plant. 



BORAGINE^E 



Hound's Tongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.) is the only 

 member of the order Boragineae which need be men- 

 tioned here. It is found in fields and waste places in 

 parts of Scotland and Ireland, and throughout England 

 and Wales, but it is not common. Hound's Tongue 

 grows to a height* of 2 feet, and has broad, downy, 

 lanceolate leaves, and funnel-shaped reddish-purple or 

 magenta flowers half an inch in diameter, borne in long 

 forked clusters or cymes. Flowering takes place in 

 June and July. The root is tapering and fleshy. The 



