126 OCCASIONALLY FATAL. 



ported by a thick, red peduncle. The leaves are large and 

 compound, with thin, notched leaflets, and the white flow- 

 ers are very small. 



THE RED BANEBERRY, Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd., re- 

 sembles the white species but its leaves are less delicate 

 and more coarsely toothed. The bright red berries arc 

 borne on peduncles which do not become thickened. 

 There is a variety with white berries, but it can be dis- 

 tinguished from Actaea alba by the slender peduncles. 



Its poisonous action is similar to that of the preceding. 



THE CURSED CROWFOOT Ranunculus sceleratus L. 



Other Common Names: Biting Crowfoot, Celery- 

 leaved Crowfoot, Blisterwort. 



This plant is the most poisonous member of the genus 

 Ranunculus. Its juice has an extremely acrid, volatile 

 constituent, strong enough, it is said, to produce a blister 

 if placed in contact with the skin for two minutes. In 

 Europe, professional beggars used the plant for produc: 

 ing sores and ulcers, to excite pity and obtain gifts. The 

 plant is found in low lands throughout the continent, but, 

 needless to say, is seldom eaten. It has, however, been 

 held responsible for much trouble, especially in cows, 

 producing, according to Cornevin, colic and diarrhoea 

 with attempts at vomiting, accompanied by a falling off 

 in milk and various nervous symptoms. In serious cases 

 convulsions are produced, followed by death in six to 

 twelve hours. Similar symptoms are produced in horses. 

 Willing says that treatment should be symptomatic, and 

 that tannin is advisable. 



