464 



MANUAI. OF POISONOUS PLANTS 



Fig. 237. California Cow Poison (.Delphinium 

 trolliifoliuni). A species common along the Pacific 

 coast, and said to be fatally poisonous to cattle. 

 (Ada Hay den.) 



Fig. 238. Tall I,arkspur (Del- 

 phinium glaucum) of the Pacific 

 Coast region. It is poisonous. 

 (Chesnut, U. S. Dept. Agrl.). 



the alkaloid delphinin C^jH^jNOg, very poisonous with a bitter sharp taste. 

 Three other alkaloids have been isolated, staphisagrin C^nH^jNO^, bitter, the 

 poisonous delphinoidin C^jH^gN^O^, and delphisin Cj^H^^N^O^, an extremely 

 poisonous alkaloid, to which may be added the substance calcitripin. Dr. 

 J. C. White in his Dermatitis Venenata states that acute dermatitis resembling 

 eczema may appear from the use of stavesacre seed. Delphinocurarin 

 CjgHggNO^, has been obtained from the root stock of several species of Del- 

 phinium, D. bicolor contains 0.27 and D. scopulorum, 1/3 per cent. 



In this country, it appears, from Mr. Cheney's observation, that D. con- 

 solida is largely sold for the European plant. A tincture of the seed is often 

 mixed with Lobelia inflata and sold as a parasiticide. The Stavesacre seeds 

 are still employed as in old times for the destruction of pediculi in human beings. 

 For this purpose, they are converted into powder and dusted among the hair. 



