SPERMATOPHYTA RANUNCULACEAE 465 



Results of the experiments made by Dr. Crawford of the U. S. Dept of 

 Agr. show in 1905 in regard to larkspur poisoning. (The first batch of plants 

 was collected April 26th, 1905). 



1 c. c. injected into a guinea pig (subcutaneously), weight 730 grams. 

 Caused no disturbance. 



3 c. c. in guinea pig, no symptoms. 

 6. c. c. in guinea pig, killed. 



6 c. c. injected into guinea pig, 285 grams, killed in 33 minutes. 



4 c. c. injected into guinea pig, 352 grams, no symptoms. 

 Repeated : 



5 c. c. killed guinea pig weighing 196 grams. Died in 55 minutes. 

 4 c. c. injected into guinea pig, 299 grams. No symptoms. 



Evidently lethal dose for this solution lay between 4 to 5 c. c. 

 Second Stage, Gathered May 16th, 1905 



Solution corresponding to 4 c. c. of No. 1 caused no symptoms in guinea 

 pig weighing 445 grams, while 5.3 c. c. killed one of 350 grams, but death was 

 delayed longer than with extract of first stage. 



Third Stage, Gathered in June, 1905 



Solution corresponding to 4 c. c. caused no symptoms in guinea pig weighing 

 376 grams. 



5.3 c. c. caused no symptoms in guinea pig weighing 500 grams. 



6.6 c. c. caused no symptoms in guinea pig weighing 480 grams. 



Evidently a lethal dose is much higher and the plant loses much of its ac- 

 tivity in development. 



This report is very conclusive in proving that the plant contains an active 

 poison, and further in substantiating the claims of experienced observers that 

 the plant loses much of its toxic properties as it approaches the flowering period. 



Seven and one-half grams of dried purple larkspur fed to each of three 

 rabbits on April 20th. No results. 



Seven and one-half grams of fresh purple larkspur from same patch fed 

 April 25th to each of three rabbits. Two showed slight uneasiness, and one was 

 bloated a little. One, showing less effect than the others, had eaten but three 

 and one-half grams. 



On May 1st a like quantity from the same patch was given to the same 

 rabbits under similar conditions. Results, two died, and the other distressed. 



On June 15th, plants from the same source, being in full bloom, but the 

 leaves and stems dry, were fed to rabbits. Although very hungry, they at first 

 refused to eat, but later ate large quantities of it without any ill effects. The 

 experiments with tall larkspur were equally as confusing. The fact that the 

 plants at one period of growth gave negative results was no guaranty that they 

 would not be dangerous at another. The tall larkspur growing luxuriantly on 

 the college campus proved to be very active, physiologically, and furnished the 

 best specimens for producing the physiological effects upon animals. In the 

 experiments with antidotes this domesticated species was found to be very 

 poisonous while in bloom in the middle of August. 



Lloyd in Drugs and Medicines of North America, quotes from a letter from 

 Wm. C. Cusick, a botanist of the West, who states that in some places the D. 

 decorum F. & M. var. nevadense poisons cattle, but only in the early spring 

 when they are first turned on the crop. It is thought by cattle men that the 

 cattle pull the plants up by the roots and eat them, which really causes the 



