126 OCCASIONALLY FATAL. 
ported by a thick, red peduncle. The leaves are large and 
compound, with thin, notched leaflets, and the white flow- 
ers are very small. 
TuE RED BANEBERRY, Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd., re- 
sembles the white species but its leaves are less delicate 
and more coarsely toothed. The bright red berries are 
borne on peduncles which do not become thickened. 
There is a variety with white berries, but it can be dis- 
tinguished from Actaea alba by the slender peduncles. 
Its poisonous action is similar to that of the preceding. 
THE CURSED CROWFOOT—Ranuneulus sceleratus L. 
Other Common Names: Biting Crowfoot, Celery- 
leaved Crowfoot, Blisterwort. 
This plant is the most poisonous member of the genus 
Ranunculus. Its juice has an extremely acrid, volatile 
constituent, strong enough, it is said, to produce a blister 
if placed in contact with the skin for two minutes. In 
Europe, professional beggars used the plant for produc- 
ing sores and ulcers, to excite pity and obtain gifts. The 
plant is found in low lands throughout the continent, but,| 
needless to say, is seldom eaten. It has, however, been 
held responsible for much trouble, especially in cows, 
producing, according to Cornevin, colic and diarrhoea 
with attempts at vomiting, accompanied by a falling off 
in milk and various nervous symptoms. In serious cases 
convulsions are produced, followed by death in six to 
twelve hours. Similar symptoms are produced in horses. 
Willing says that treatment should be symptomatic, and 
that tannin is advisable. 
a 
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