Poisonous effects on animals 151 



Mr. Strickland 1 considers that the danger to 

 cattle is obviated by their eating it habitually, and 

 therefore plants it in pastures. In this he is pro- 

 bably right, but the danger remains if the cattle 

 are at any time shut up. 



Cornevin 2 shows experimentally that the quantity 

 of autumnal and winter leaves necessary to cause 

 death in animals is as follows : 



For EACH KILOGRAMME of weight of the live animal. 



2. grammes . . .for the Horse. 



i gr. 60 . . . ,, Ass or Mule. 



10 gr. . Sheep. 



i2gr. . . Goat. 



10 gr. . Cow. 



3gr- Pig- 



8gr. '. Dog. 



20 gr. . . . . ,, Rabbit. 



From this Table we gather that the equine race 

 is of all others the most susceptible to the poisonous 

 effects of the yew. 



Birds of all kinds are poisoned by the leaves. 

 Pheasants are apparently the greatest sufferers from 

 this cause. In 1892 Sir W. B. Ffolkes 3 of Hilling- 

 ton Hall found in his coverts fifteen pheasants 

 which had been killed by eating yew leaves. His 

 keeper informed him that after they have been 

 disturbed by shooting, they take to perching in 



1 Card. Chron., Sept. 24, 1892. 2 Op. tit. 



z Journ. Roy. Agricult* Soc.^ 1892. 



