35 



and vicinity. Mr. Anderson of Reno was of the opinion that 

 sheep usually avoid it, but even if they do eat it no apparent 

 harm results. The fact that sheep do not care for it is, in all 

 probability, on account of its bitter taste. Experiments con- 

 ducted in Montana,* in which large doses of the juice of the tall 

 larkspur were poured into the stomach of a sheep, caused the 

 sheep some discomfort at first, but the next day it was as well and 

 active as ever. 



Drenching with potassium permanganate, in doses of twenty- 

 five grains to an animal, has proved an effective remedy in cases 

 of poisoning of cattle by this plant. 



The plant grows from four to seven feet high, with large 

 green leaves, somewhat resembling a maple leaf, and long spikes 

 of blue flowers, which extend from one to two or more feet 

 above the leafy portion of the plant. 



SMALL LARKSPUR. 

 {Delphinium Andersoni, Gray.) 



This small blue larkspur \vas seen frequently in patches in 

 moist places on the ranges in Dog Valley, Stampede, Sagehen, 

 Sardine and other mountain valleys, and at Webber Lake. It 

 was especially noticeable that our camp horses and the sheep 

 carefully avoided this plant. Horses grazing where this plant 

 was abundant would push aside the larkspur and eat the grasses 

 and a plant belonging to the parsley family growing alongside of 

 it. One very hungry band of sheep, which were being ranged 

 over a piece of ground that had been eaten off twice previously, 

 ate considerable quantities of this plant, as it and trampled down 

 sunflower were about the only plants left. No unusual condition 

 or cases of poisoning were -heard of. This plant grows about a 

 foot high, with a few finely divided leaves at the base, and from 

 four to ten dark blue flowers. No information could be obtained 

 as to whether this species of larkspur is poisonous. A closely 

 related species almost identical with this one in general appearance 

 and habit is very abundant in Montana. In its early stages 



*Bulletin 26, Division of Botany, U. S. Department of Agriculture, p. 70. 



