DISEASES OF SHEEP 607 



some cases, though the symptom is never so marked as in poisoning 

 from death camas. The animal is finally attacked with violent con- 

 vulsions, in which it dies. In this respect, also, the symptoms differ 

 from those of death camas poisoning, which latter are generally 

 quite without spasms. The digestive functions are not noticeably 

 affected by larkspur poisoning. The temperature may be slightly 

 lowered at first, and during the later stages the pulse and breathing 

 become rapid. 



Observations thus far made indicate the advisability of admin- 

 istering potassium permanganate and sulphate of aluminum at once, 

 as recommended for death camas poisoning. For counteracting the 

 physiological effects of larkspur, atropine in hypodermic doses of 

 one-half to 1 grain for cattle and horses will give good results. Alco- 

 hol and other stimulants may be administered. 



The most effective preventive measure consists in determining 

 the exact distribution of this plant upon the range and herding stock 

 away from the dangerous areas during the spring and early summer. 



Purple Larkspur (Delphinium bicolor). This plant is a 

 slightly hairy, tuberous-rooted perennial, 1 to 2 feet in height, with 

 a cluster of divided, long-stemmed root leaves, and dark purple flow- 

 ers, which appear from May to August, according to the altitude. 

 The purple larkspur is common throughout Montana on moderately 

 moist foothills and mountain ranges at all elevations up to 10,500 

 feet. Its distribution is much more general and extensive than that 

 of the tall larkspur. In the majority of localities where it grows, it 

 would seem, therefore, impossible to exterminate it by digging or 

 other practicable methods. The purple larkspur often occurs abund- 

 antly together with death camas, and its habitat in general seems to 

 be practically the same as death camas. Neither the purple larkspur 

 nor the death camas grows abundantly in localities which are far 

 removed from foothills and mountains. The first green leaves appear 

 during the latter part of April and the earliest flowers are observable 

 about the first of May. A great variety of opinion prevails with 

 respect to the poisonous character of this plant, some stockmen claim- 

 ing that it is uniformly poisonous and others believing that it may 

 at times be eaten with impunity. The evidence obtained by the writer 

 as a basis for Bulletin 15 of the Montana Station, is believed to be 

 conclusive in proving that the plant is poisonous for sheep in its 

 early stages. The plant was called Delphinium menziesii, but recent 

 systematic work on larkspurs indicated that this species is D. bicolor. 

 Former experiments by Dr. S. B. Nelson, of the Washington Station, 

 indicated that the truo D. menziesii in the flowering stage was not 

 poisonous. The apparent discrepancy of results is perhaps explained 

 by the difference in species and the difference in stage of growth of 

 the plant with which experiments were made. 



During some seasons the purple larkspur causes extensive losses 

 of sheep and calves in Montana. Cattle and horses eat it less fre- 

 quently. As already noted, a great variation exists in the appetite 

 of animals with regard to poisonous plants, and it is noteworthy that 

 in the season of 1900 the purple larkspur was eaten very sparingly. 



