l8o BOTANICAL GAZETTE. [July, 



I 



consider it an illustration of the theory of "saltation," proposed to cover 

 cases of a similar sort in zoology. 



Not being a specialist in botany, I submit the case, and have reluc- 

 tantly suggested the above reflections in the most tentative way. If they 

 may awake an interest on the part of those more capable of opinions, this 

 notice will not have been in vain.— C. W. Hargitt, Miami University 

 Oxford, Ohio. 



Poisonous plants and the symptoms they produce.— When horses, 

 cattle or sheep here die from unknown causes, which have produced 

 more or less marked cerebral disturbance within a few days or hours 

 before dissolution, accompanied by one or more minor symptoms, they 

 are said to have been " locoed," that is, poisoned by some usually myste- 

 rious unknown plant. The general symptoms are here given in the or- 

 der they usually appear : 



The animal wanders alone, has unnaturally bright eyes and slight 

 frothing at the mouth, or even extreme salivation occurs and the crea- 

 ture goes about with a stream of clear saliva trickling from its chin to 

 the ground, or else the lips are dry, a little swollen and the whole mouth 

 very hot. The appetite becomes noticeably impaired; large quantities 

 of offensive gas are belched forth, frequently accompanied by a greenish 

 froth mixed with finely chewed food. The brain .now becomes plainly 

 affected— control of limbs partially or wholly lost— sometimes muscles of 

 one side of the neck are contracted in a pitiable manner. In a few days, 

 hours or minutes, as the case may be, after proper limb-control is lost, 

 the staggering animal refuses to eat or drink at all, becomes stupid, reels 

 and falls, seldom rising again. Stupor increases, eyes become dull and 

 staring, perfect torpor comes on. Limbs and neck may become quite 

 rigid and extended, or else in natural position and easily moved by the 

 hand. Abdomen usually swells to enormous size. Victim may lie in 

 this condition a week or death may ensue in a few hours; there is rarely 

 any struggle at that time. 



Post mortem examination reveals several interesting features. The 

 intestines with their surrounding fat are already green, although the 

 creature may have only just died. The arteries and smaller vessels in 

 the limbs are gorged with thick, black blood. The lining of the first 

 stomach is worn and ulcerated in patches and in some cases seems to 

 have commenced decomposition; is very soft and can be peeled off the 

 muscular layer with thumb and forefinger in big pieces. Lungs and 

 heart almost bloodless, but the brain, particularly the cerebellum, is pur- 

 plish, soft and pulpy. 



The symptoms, etc., vary considerably, and it seems unlikely that 

 one poison causes them all. 



Four common plants are here said to "loco" stock, viz.: Oxytropis 

 Lamberti, Leucocrinum montanum, Fritillaria pudica and Zygadenus 

 elegans. The first is now known to produce no evil effects except when 



