PRUSSIC ACID IN THE LEGUMINOS^ 239 



been exaggerated to the extent of weaving fables around 

 some of their number, is none the less existent, as witness 

 the cases of poisoning which have been recorded. 



A number of other plants belonging to this great family 

 have been the cause of accidents and have been classed as 

 dangerous. Where live stock is concerned it is sometimes 

 difificult to decide that the mortality is due to any poisonous 

 properties the Leguminosas may possess, because abuse of 

 these plants, as of many others, may provoke a distension 

 of the stomach which is capable of causing death. How- 

 ever, such is not often the case, and it is no cause for 

 astonishment that, in a botanical order containing such 

 varied species, we should find plants of different properties, 

 some nutritious and harmless and others poisonous. 



Professor Ralph Stockman, of Glasgow University, 

 maintains that the poisonous properties of certain Legu- 

 minos^e are due to the presence of a saponin. 



Mr. ]\Iaiden, botanist, and Director of the Gardens in 

 Sydney, New South Wales, has contributed a very interest- 

 ing article on this subject to The Agricultural Gazette, from 

 which we will give some extracts. 



Mr. IMaiden does not give the whole of the observations 

 made as being certain. It is possible that some points have 

 been slightly exaggerated, but it is none the less true that 

 accidents of various kinds have been recorded by responsible 

 persons, and it is as well to draw atten<^ion to these facts in 

 order to enlighten others who may be similarly placed. 



For our own part we think it useful to give a short note 

 on each of the plants recorded. Those in new countries 

 who wish to devote themselves to farming will find some 

 useful points which should spare them annoyance. 



The subject has been treated by a number of writers, 

 and among the chief works of interest we may quote the 

 following : — - 



Professor Mac Owan. — " References to Leguminous 

 Poisoning and Symptoms resembling it." 



