PLANTS POISONOUS TO STOCK. 



227 



and the jnilse grows progressively weaker, until at last it becomes 

 imperceptible. 



MELANTHACE.T. (bUNCH-FLOWER FAMILY). 



*Chrosperma muscsetoxicum. — The bulbous portion of the fly poison,, 

 or crow poison, an eastern plant, is sometimes eaten by cattle with fatal 



Fig. 75. — False hellebore (Veratrum 

 viride), one-third natural size. 



Fig. 76.— Lily of the valley (Cow- 

 vallaria viajalis), one-third 

 natural size. 



results. The bulbs, when crushed with molasses, are used to stupefy 

 flies. 



*Yeratrum Yiride. — The leaves of the common swamp hellebore 

 (American white hellebore ; false hellebore ; Indian poke) of the eastern 

 and northern portions of the United States have proved fatal to man and 

 to horses. Sheep eat the young leaves and shoots with apparent relish. 

 The seed is poisonous to chickens, 



Zygadenus venenosus. — The name death camas has been applied 

 to this plant in the North-West of America to distinguish it from the 

 true camas {Quamasia qaamasli), which is highly esteemed for food by 



Q 2 



