PRUSSIC ACID IN THE LEGUMINOS^ 24I 



Crotalaria Mitchellii (Shrub). — This species occurs in the southern 

 part of Australia, New South Wales and Queensland, and is suspected 

 of being poisonous. 



CytJsus (Shrub). — The plants of this genus are very dangerous on 

 account of the alkaloid, cytisitij which they contain. Every portion of 

 the plant is poisonous, wood, bark, leaves, floral buds, flowers, pods, 

 seeds, and also the subterranean portions. 



Man as well as beasts are susceptible to this poison. It is the 

 flowers which are the cause of accidents among human beings. 



Ervum ervilia (Herb). — This plant is cultivated in Algeria and other 

 localities and the seeds are used for feeding live stock. It should not 

 be used alone, nor should a diet of this leguminous plant be too pro- 

 longed, as it contains an injurious element. Animals are more or less 

 susceptible to it, and, according to M. Cornevin, the effects are not 

 uniform. The following animals may be said to be most susceptible : 

 poultry, pigs, horses, mules, sheep, and oxen. 



The chief symptoms are somnolence passing into a state of coma, 

 interrupted from time to time by muscular seizures, and sometimes by 

 nausea and vomiting. 



Castrolobium (Shrub). — The following species are commonly known 

 as " Poison bushes " : Gastrolohimn obovatiuii, G. trilobiini^ G, spino- 

 suiiij G. oxylohioides, G. calycinii})i_, G. callistachys^ G. bilobuin. 



According to Hooker's " Journal of Botany " the strongest animals 

 are the first to fall victims. The first sign is a difficulty in breathing, 

 which lasts for several minutes ; they then begin to stagger, and 

 eventually fall and die. After death the stomach of the animal turns 

 brown ; apparently the poison enters the blood-stream and completely 

 arrests the action of the heart and lungs. The dead flesh of such 

 animals poisons cats, and the blood, which turns very black, is fatal 

 to dogs. However, the natives are able to eat the flesh, either roast 

 or boiled, without feeling any ill-efl"ects whatsoever. 



The flowers are the most poisonous portion of the plant and cause 

 the death of numbers of sheep. Apparently horses are exempt. The 

 same book adds that the best remedy for the sheep is to pen them up 

 in a fold in such a way that they are unable to move, and to keep them 

 in this position for thirty-six hours. 



Castrolobium bilobum (Shrub) is known as the "Heart leaf poison 

 bush." It has been studied by Fraas and Wolft'. In the " Flora 

 Australiensis " it is said to be the most redoubtable of the bush poisons. 



Castrolobium calyoinum (Shrub). —In Western Australia this variety 

 is called " York Road poison,'' and G. calUstachys is called " Rock 

 poison.'' They have been studied by Professor Stockman. 



Castrolobium grandiflorum (Shrub). —Baron Mueller recognized 

 that numbers of sheep and cattle had been poisoned by this plant in 

 Queensland. In order to be rid of it he advised setting fire to it 

 wherever it occurred. It is known in Queensland as "Wall flower" 

 or " Desert poison bush."' 

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