138 OCCASIONALLY FATAL. 



pound, with one to thirteen entire leaflets, obovate, oval, 

 or the lowest ovate, with short stalks and acuminate 

 points. The small, green flowers are in loose panicles in 

 the axils of the leaves. The fruit is greyish in colour and 

 slightly oblong. The leaves are very brightly coloured in 

 autumn. 



HEATH FAMILY Ericaceae. 



THE FETTER-BUSH, Andromeda polifolia L., contains 

 andromedodextrin, a narcotic poison, in its leaves. Pam- 

 mel states that it has been known to poison sheep. It is 

 a shrub six inches to two feet high, growing in bogs 

 throughout the country. Its small, oblong, leathery leaves 

 have strongly revolute margins, and are white woolly be- 

 neath. The drooping umbels each contain only a few deli- 

 cately coloured pink flowers. 



LEATHERWOOD FAMILY Thymelaceae. 



THE SPURGE LAUREL, Daphne Mezereum L., is known 

 by a variety of other common names, viz., Mezereon, 

 Lady-laurel, Paradise Plant, Mystery Plant and Dwarf 

 Bay, and contains several poisonous substances. Its bark, 

 leaves and fruit are poison when taken internally, pro- 

 ducing burning, vomiting, giddiness and convulsions. 

 Fresh bark soaked in water produces blisters when ap- 

 plied to the skin. 



It is a small shrub with oblong, lanceolate leaves, fra- 

 grant, rose-purple flowers, and red drupes. 



THE LEATHERWOOD, Dirca palustris L., known locally 

 as Moosewood, Wicopy, Swampwood, and Rope-bark, pro- 

 duces effects similar to those of Daphne. It is a shrub 

 with yellowish-green branches and oval leaves, two or 



