PRUSSIC ACID IN WILD CHERRY LEAVES II 7 



plant, a complex chemical reaction takes place, that begins in 

 the leaf the moment connection with the circulatory system is 

 cut off. The three products of this reaction are hydrocyanic 

 acid, grape sugar, and benzaldehyde, or bitter almond oil. 



There is a popular opinion that the leaves of the cherry are 

 poisonous only wlien cut and in the wilted condition ; that cat- 

 tle may safely nibble them from the growing shrub without 

 danger of injury ; and that they are quite harmless when dried. 

 Our observations, however, prove these views to be but par- 

 tially correct. As a matter of fact, distillations of samples, 

 made within twenty minutes of cutting, show that the freshly 

 cut leaves yield nearly as much acid as the wilted ones do 

 when calculated on the weight of fresh material taken, and 

 when eaten fresh, the character of the juices within the animal 

 stomach is such as to render that organ a most favorable place 

 for the conduct of the reaction in which prussic acid is liber- 

 ated. 



On the other hand, while it is true that the thoroughly dried 

 leaves yield a comparatively small amount of acid, still they 

 may always produce some, and as ordinarily dried in the hay- 

 field, they may be capable of generating a considerable quan- 

 tity of the poison. The desirability of carefully excluding 

 them from all hay is therefore apparent. 



The truth of the preceding statements may perhaps be better 

 comprehended by a study of Table I. 



