36 



SYMPTOMS: Cornevin has shown that the cursed crowfoot induces 

 gastro-enteritis, colic, diarrhoea with excretion of black, foul-smelling 

 faeces, vomiting when possible, falling-off in milk yield in cows, nervous 

 symptoms, reduction in pulse, and sterterous respiration, dilation of the 

 pupils, enfeebled condition, difficult mastication, spasmodic movements of 

 the ears, lips, etc., followed in serious cases by convulsions, sinking of the 

 eye in its socket, and death in six to twelve hours after first convulsion. 



The symptoms of poisoning in the horse, as given by Lander, are 

 practically, the same as the above. Pott records haematuria and reddish 

 or bitter milk in cows. 



Lander also reports an instance of sheep falling down suddenly when 

 eating R. repens, their eyes rolling. They died in a short time, with their 

 heads inclined over the left flank. 



REMEDY AND MEANS OF CONTROL: The ordinary emetics and stimu- 

 lants should be given, and professional advice obtained. The weed 

 should be cut or pulled when in its first bloom to prevent the ripening of 

 seeds. 



TALL BUTTERCUP (R. acris L.) BUTTERCUP FAMILY. 



The tall or meadow buttercup is an erect, hairy, perennial plant two 

 to three feet high. The basal leaves are long-stalked, three to seven 

 parted, each division cleft into linear crowded lobes. The upper leaves 

 have shorter stalks, and fewer lobes. The flowers are bright yellow, 

 numerous, about an inch in diameter, with roundish petals two or three 

 times the length of the pointed sepals. The fruit clusters are round, one- 

 quarter to one-third inch broad. The seeds are flattened, with a short 

 beak. The plant is in bloom from May to September. It was intro- 

 duced from Europe, and is now common in fields and on roadsides across 

 the American continent. 



This species of buttercup is less harmful than the cursed crowfoot 

 and, when dried with the hay, forms a large part of the fodder available 

 in some districts, but it must be remembered that all the buttercups are of 

 a poisonous character and under certain conditions and seasons are liable 

 to become very injurious. Long states that "R. acris L., the acrid butter- 

 cup or tall crowfoot, is a frequent cause of poisoning in cattle," and 

 Cornevin says "it is perhaps the species which causes the most accidents." 



OTHER SPECIES OF BUTTERCUP. 



Our native small-flowered buttercup (R. abortivus L.) which may be 

 distinguished by its round heart-shaped root leaves and pale yellow 

 flowers whose petals are shorter than the reflexed sepals, is equally capable 

 of causing irritation and blistering, as is also the smaller spearwort (R. 

 reptans L.). All other buttercups of the swamps and woods contain more 

 or less acridity. 



