352 Oil the Salivary Defluxions in Horses. 



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These experiments I considered sufficient to prove 

 that the Euphorbia maculata would produce salivation 

 And I am induced to think for reasons that I shall hereaf- 

 ter mention, that it is the general, if not the only 

 cause of it. 



There are three species of euphorbia common in 

 our fields : the maculata^ caniscens and corolata^ of Lin- 

 neus. There are more species of euphorbia natives, and 

 some exotic species now flourish in our country, but 

 their peculiar habitudes confine them to certain dis- 

 tricts. Of the three species above mentioned, either 

 would probably cause salivation if masticated : but the 

 peculiarities of the maculata render it the only one like- 

 ly to be eaten by horses. None of them will be eaten 

 if not so situated or presented, as to be taken mto the ani- 

 mal's mouth along with some agreeable grass, as clover. 

 The corolata is a large plant towering above the gras- 

 ses, and therefore easily avoided. The caniscens is an 

 humble plant attaching itself close to the ground without 

 elevating any of its branches, and seldom flourishing 

 among the grasses ; but generally confined to open 

 grounds, or cornfields road sides Sec. on these accounts 

 it is seldom eaten. The maculata delighting in the well 

 cultivated clover ground, and when closely surrounded 

 by the clover attaining to about the same height, and 

 sending off maiiy slender spreading branches, it is very 

 liable to be taken in with the clover by the larger mou- 

 thed animals. Whether this species of euphorbia^ has 

 flourished for a length of time in this part of the coun- 

 try, or has but lately migrated into it, I have notascer- 

 tained, but in either case, its having but recently intrud- 

 ed itself into the pasture fields can be easily accounted 



