MUSTARD FAMILY. 99 



The calyx is much inflated and five ribbed. The fruit 

 capsules are smooth and similar to those of Purple 

 Cockle but much more inflated, and contain about twenty 

 seeds each. 



The seeds are about one-twelfth of an inch across, 

 round, hard and dull black- The surface is minutely 

 roughened and there is a shallow groove down one side. 

 On cutting the seed open the germ can be seen, curved 

 about the outside of the starchy endosperm, just beneath 

 the seed coat. When finely ground in feeds, it is only by 

 careful microscopic examination that its presence can be 

 determined. 



MUSTARD FAMILY Cruciferae. 



WILD MUSTARD Brassica arvensis (L.) Ktze., Brassica 

 Sinapistrv.m Boiss. 



Other Common Names : Charlock, Herrick. 



The poisonous properties of this plant have been given 

 less attention in America than they deserve. The reason 

 is a natural one. The seeds only are harmful, and the 

 plant is uncommon in hay and probably would be rejected 

 if present. It thus happens that animals obtain the poison 

 only when the seeds are combined with concentrated 

 feeding stuffs. This very often happens, but the nature 

 of the seed is such that when finely ground, an ordinary 

 inspection fails to distinguish it from the wheat mid- 

 dlings with which it is often mixed, and so its harmful 

 effects have been attributed to other causes. 



