ROYAL GARDENS, KEW. 
BULLETIN 
OF 
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION, 
No. 94.] OCTOBER. [1894. 
CCCCX.—LATHYRUS FODDER. 
( Lathyrus sativus, L.) 
Recent legal proceedings have called attention to the use of the seeds 
of the Bitter Vetch (Lathyrus sativus) in this country as a food for 
horses. The plant is an annual, closely allied to the sweet pea of 
continued use by man and animals has led to injurious results. The 
subject is fully discussed in Dr. Watt’s Dictionary of the Economic 
Products of India, Vol. 26) pp. 592-594. From this work the 
following extracts are taken 
Food and Fodder.— As aiready stated, this pea is cultivated 
rincipally as a fodder, but being very cheap and Lo grown it is 
considerably used as food by the poorer classes, largely so in times 
of scarcity. It is also used to a considerable extent to adulterate 
dál from which it can scarcely be distinguished. The following 
chemieal composition is Sigh by — eb 10:1; albuminoids, 
31:0; starch and fibre, 53:9; oil, 0'9; as “2. Ihe e nutrient ratio 
is abont 1: 1:75, while the nutrient silde i is near arl 
A recent analysis by Astier has revealed the presence in the grain of 
a aie liquid alkaloid, probably produced by some proteid ferment, 
which exhibits the toxic ‘effects of the seeds, and the action of which is 
destroyed by heat. The evil effects of habitual consumption of the 
seeds have long been known, and though the subject is one whic 
paralysis. In one 
district of Bengal alone, according to Irving, neal} 4 ji be cent. of the 
population suffered from its toxic ‘effects in 1860. That observer went 
into the subject most extensively, and found that if used occasionally 
U 83893.  1375.—10/94. Wt. 45 A 
