24 



To some the herbage of the common Virginia bower (Clematis Vir- 

 giniana L. ) is acrid and unpleasant. 



Many of the wild herbs have acrid properties, of which mention 

 may be made of skunk cabbage (Spathyema fcetida L. ) and Indian 

 turnip (Arisosma triphyllum L. ), the latter with corms notoriously 

 acrid and even producing inflammation of the skin. The leaves of 

 cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum Michx. ) will produce blisters and 

 several of the mustards (Sinapis sp.) are used for that purpose. 

 The juice of the red pepper (Capsicum annuum L. ) is irritating to 

 the skin, and also that of the stonecrop (Sedium acre L. ) Many 

 can bear testimony to the inflammation brought on by handling the 

 old-fashioned garden rue (Rata graveolens L. ), and the short bristles 

 upon the borage (Borago officinalis L.) produce irritation. Some 

 persons have the skin inflamed by handling the garden nasturtium 

 (Tropnolum majus L. ), and all seem to be poisoned by the Mentzelia 

 oligosperma Nutt. , one of the newer ornamental plants introduced 

 from the far West. One of the indoor primroses (Primula obconica 

 Hance) has irritating hairs quite poisonous to some persons, and the 

 pimpernel (Angallis arvensis L. ) is a closely- related suspect. 



The meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale L. ) bulbs produce a 

 pricking sensation, and garlic (Allium sp. ) reddens the skin, while 

 asparagus (A. officinale L. ), of the same family, will sometimes 

 blister the hands of those who work with it for a long time, and the 

 same is true of green hellebore ( Veratrum viride L. ) Workers in 

 celery sometimes have their hands swollen by it. Some species of 

 greenhouse aloes are reported as causing inflammation. 



The juice of the bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis L. ) will poison 

 some who touch it, and the yellow juice of celandine (Chelidonium 

 majus L. ) acts in the same manner, not unlike the smartweeds 

 (Polygonum Hydropiper L. and P. punctatum Ell.) 



Some of the plants that poison when taken internally are not 

 inocuous when touched. Thus the herbage of the poke (Phytolacca 

 decandrah.), the monkshood (Acmitum Napellus L.) and larkspur 

 (Delphinium sp. ) cause a burning sensation. That of the baneberry 

 Actsea alba L.) belongs to the same family with the last two men- 

 tioned, and some of the buttercups are poisonous, the Ranunculus 

 sceleratus L., celery-leaved buttercup, being one of the most virulent 

 to the touch, while R. acre L. and R. repens L. are able to produce 

 much irritation. Even their cousin, the windflower (Anemone quin- 

 quifolia L. ) causes inflammation with some. A friend has been repeat- 

 edly poisoned by handling the star cucumber (Sicyos angulatus L. ). 



