620 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



Swamp Camas (Zygadenus elegans}. This species resembles 

 death camas in general habit. It differs from the latter in its greater 

 height, larger flowers, and wider leaves. It grows in more moist 

 situations than death camas. Marsh hay containing a large quantity 

 of swamp camas and cut in the fall of 1899 proved on the first feed- 

 ing to be poisonous to sheep. An examination of the remaining 

 portion of hay showed that no other plant was present which could 

 be considered poisonous. The seeds of the swamp camas were prob- 

 ably the cause of the poisoning in this case. During the season of 

 1900 six cattle were poisoned while feeding in a pasture where swamp 

 camas grew in abundance, and two of the animals died. The symp- 

 toms of poisoning were nearly identical with those manifested by 

 sheep in poisoning by death camas and postmortem examination 

 revealed a similar anatomical condition. Large quantities of swamp 

 camas were found in the stomachs of the dead animals. 



Among the plants in Montana of restricted distribution which 

 are known to be poisonous mention should be made of the California 

 swamp hellebore (Veratrum calif ornicum) , black henbane (Hyoscy- 

 amus niger), and spreading nightshade (Solanum triflorum). 



A large number of plants have been suspected of being poisonous 

 by various stockmen. In some cases the evidence is apparently quite 

 convincing that they are poisonous to a slight extent, while in others 

 there is absolutely no evidence on one side or the other. Many 

 plants belonging to the parsley family have been called indiscrimi- 

 nately by the name wild parsnip, and they have been generally sus- 

 pected. No definite evidence was obtained against any one of these 

 plants. The false lupine (Thermopsis rhombifolia) has been sus- 

 pected of being poisonous, and in one case, where 100 cattle died on 

 a range near Weibaux during the season of 1900, this plant grew in 

 abundance and had been eaten to some extent. Otherwise, no evi- 

 dence was obtained against it. This plant is also known by the name 

 of yellow pea among stockmen ; it is frequently eaten by sheep with- 

 out serious effects, and is cut for hay to some extent. 



One instance of the apparently poisonous effects of oat smut was 

 observed by the author in Gallatin Valley. A crop of oats which 

 was badly infested with smut was cut before maturing and stored for 

 hay. This hay was fed to a dairy herd in the following winter with 

 the result that 12 cows died of gastritis and frenzy after a period of 

 about twelve hours. On postmortem examination the stomach walls 

 were much congested, showing a decided irritation. 



A number of plants have been suspected of being poisonous from 

 fancied resemblance to plants which are known to be poisonous. One 

 curious confusion of species has already been referred to by which a 

 number of stockmen referred to death camas as wild onion and then 

 considered the wild onion as being poisonous. No evidence is obtain- 

 able for believing the wild onion to be poisonous. Wild licorice has 

 at times been suspected of causing poisoning, although it is well 

 known that a large quantity of this plant is cut for hay and fed with 

 impunity. The green plants are also frequently eaten by cattle and 

 horses on the range. The wild hyacinth (Leucocinum montanum) 



