vii] Plants suspected of hemg Poisonous 95 



Broom-rape {Orohanche minor Sutt.) has been suspected, and 

 according to Boitel is liable to cause violent colic when it occurs in 

 considerable proportion in clover and is ingested with it (73). On the 

 other hand, in a case noted by Stapledon, in which Broom-rape 

 (0. minor) had completely overrun the aftermath on a farm near 

 Fishguard, two-year-old cattle devoured the plant with apparent 

 relish and cleared off most of it in a few days after being turned in. 

 The farmer stated that he saw no trace of colic or other ill effects. 

 {Jour. Bd. Agric, September, 1916.) 



Great Mullein {Verbascum Thapsus L.). Though it does not 

 appear to be touched by farm live-stock the Great Mullein must be 

 mentioned here. The leaves and flowers have been used medicinally 

 as an emollient and pectoral, while the seeds possess narcotic properties 

 and serve to stupefy fish (73). Pammel states that the plant causes 

 irritation, but is probably not very poisonous to stock. 



Toadflax {Linaria vulgaris Mill). Cornevin describes Toadflax as 

 acrid and poisonous, but says that stock reject it, and he could record 

 no accidents to animals. In his full and excellent account of this weed, 

 Kraus says it is regarded as poisonous, or suspected of being so, but 

 that according to most accounts it is not harmful to cattle (168). 

 Leunis regards it as suspicious on account of its acridity. Some 

 German authorities say it is willingly eaten by cattle, but it is generally 

 believed to be avoided, and owing to its disagreeable odour and acrid 

 taste this view is probably correct. The plant has not been exhaustively 

 studied, and while Smith gives the toxic principle as Oil of Snapdragon 

 and the resin Gratiolin, it may be observed that Toadflax contains the 

 glucoside Linarin (Cg4H5Q04Q). 



Figworts {Scrophularia nodosa L. and S. aquatica L.). These 

 plants are not hkely to be eaten by animals, but Cornevin states that 

 the former is strongly emetic and purgative, and that in excess it may 

 cause superpurgation ending in death. Miiller says that the two 

 species have respectively caused poisonous symptoms in a cow and a 

 sheep ; in the case of the cow there were loss of appetite and symptoms 

 of paralysis. From S. nodosa Walz extracted a bitter, crystalline 

 substance, Scrophularine. 



Yellow Rattle {Rhinanthus Crista-galli L.). When grass land is 

 put under the plough Yellow Rattle present may re-appear in a cereal 

 crop as a semi-parasite, and its seeds may later be ground up with the 

 grain, imparting a reddish or violet-brown colour and an unpleasant 

 taste to the flour and even bread made from it. It is strongly suspected 



