MUSTARD FAMILY. 99 
The calyx is much inflated and five ribbed. The fruit 
capsules are smooth and similar to those of Purple 
Cockle but much more inflated, and contain about twenty 
seeds each. 
The seeds are about one-twelfth of an inch across, 
round, hard and dull black. The surface is minutely 
roughened and there is a shallow groove down one side. 
On cutting the seed open the germ can be seen, curved 
about the outside of the starchy endosperm, just beneath 
the seed coat. When finely ground in feeds, it is only by 
careful microscopic examination that its presence can be 
determined. 
MUSTARD FAMILY—Cruciferae. 
WILD MUSTARD—Brassica arvensis (L.) Ktze., Brassica 
Sinapistrum Boiss. 
Other Common Names: Charlock, Herrick. 
The poisonous properties of this plant have been given 
less attention in America than they deserve. The reason 
is a natural one. The seeds only are harmful, and the 
plant is uncommon in hay and probably would be rejected 
if present. It thus happens that animals obtain the poison 
only when the seeds are combined with concentrated 
feeding stuffs. This very often happens, but the nature 
of the seed is such that when finely ground, an ordinary 
inspection fails to distinguish it from the wheat mid- 
dlings with which it is often mixed, and so its harmfu: 
effects have been attributed to other causes. 
