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THE ART ALBUM OF NEW ZEALAND FLORA. 



contained in them. The effects that result from eating the seeds are convulsions and 

 delirium, Avhich continues for several houi's, and frequently terminates in death. If 

 emetics are administered jirom^jtly, cases are not, however, fatal. In country districts, 

 parents and others having control of children would do well to warn them of the danger 

 of eating the seeds of the Tutu plant. The succulent young shoots are poisonous to 

 cattle, more especially when eaten hy the animals when hungry. The effects produced 

 are a partial paralysis of the hrain, which causes staggermg and falling, with a seeming 

 disposition to rush at objects, the eyes of the animal turning up in a distressing manner, 

 whilst it sinks repeatedly upon its knees during the convulsion. Should the victim fall, 

 speedy relief is afforded by making an incision in the ear, and allowing the blood to flow. 

 Sometimes if this relief is not speedily forthcoming the beast succumbs to the poison. 

 Should the animal attacked not fall, the virulence of the poison will jiass off' in a 

 short time. Sheep introduced into a new district will often suffer from Tutu, the 

 leaves of which they are exceedingly fond, but generally the attack is only slight, as 

 they mostly nibble and walk on. When a sheep is overcome, it rushes on a few paces 

 with its neck extended, then stops, staggers, and falls. Raising the head above the 

 spine, and keeping it steady for a short time affords relief, and the attack passes away. 

 It is generally asserted that horses will not eat the Tutu, but, on the other hand, it is 

 likewise belicA^ed that they do, though sparingly, and then only in very hot weather, and 

 in combination with other food which renders it innocuous. The Ground Tutu, 

 C. thy))iifoUa, of the Middle Island, is, however, said to be highly poisonous to horses. 

 In any case the Tutu plant is best eradicated from enclosures where horses are kept, 

 to prevent mischief occui-ing to them. A remarkable instance is on record of the death 

 of an elephant in New Zealand, which was poisoned by eating Tutu. The incident is 

 related by the late lamented scientist. Sir Julius Von Haast, and occurred some years ago 

 to an ele^ihant which was landed in Otago, and marched inland by its owner, for a 

 considerable distance. Arriving at a suitable halting jjlace, where the vegetation was 

 abundant, the o^Tier determined to give the animal a rest, and a few days feeding. The 

 grass, which had been burnt off during the jorevious season, had shot u^) again with 

 renewed vigour, and amongst it was a fine crop of succulent yovmg plants of Coriaria 

 ruscifolia. The elei:)liant fed amongst the herbage for four hours, and afterwards went 

 to a neighbouring stream, and drank freely. In turning back the animal began to 

 reel, fell on the ground, ard died after three hours ; so that it took only seven hoiu's 

 from the time the beast began to feed until it died. It would seem from this incident 

 that the poison must have been very vii'ulent. The skeleton of this elephant may now 

 be seen in the Museum at Wellington. The European plant, C. myrtifoUa, is as 

 poisonous as its New Zealand congener, C. ntscifolia, and j^i'otluces convulsions. 



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