ASTRAGALUS TETRAPTERUS, A NEW POISONOUS 

 PLANT OF UTAH AND NEVADA. 



RESULTS OF PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS. 



Late in the summer of 1916 the supervisor of the Dixie National 

 Forest asked for an investigation of losses of cattle on a range near 

 Xewcastle, Utah. In a somewhat limited region, six or eight cattle 

 had died in 1915 and a number were sick in 1916. The principal 

 symptoms as described by local men were weakness, " breaking down 

 behind," with a weaving motion in walking, the hind feet striking 

 the legs so as to wear the hair off in patches. 



In company with the supervisor and some of the local stockmen, the 

 senior author made a careful examination of the range. One sick steer, 

 said to be a typical case, and showing the reported symptoms, was 

 found. The animal was very weak, with a rough coat, staggered as it 

 walked, and exhibited peculiar weaving movements of the hind legs. 

 As the owner did not wish to have it killed, no 1 autopsy was made. 



The range where the cattle had been grazing was in the foothills, 

 with nothing unusual in the vegetation except the presence of a plant 

 of the pea family-ran Astragalus — which at that time was new to 

 the investigators. This Astragalus, which was noticeable on account 

 of its peculiar pods, had been largely grazed, and at that time (Sep- 

 tember) consisted mostly of dried stems. In the stomach contents of 

 a steer that had died the previous year a large number of pods of the 

 Astragalus were found. These facts led to the suspicion that possibly 

 this plant was the cause of the trouble, as many of the leguminous 

 plants are poisonous. But it was then too late to gather any of the 

 plant for experimental work, and arrangements were made to obtain 

 material for feeding in the succeeding summer (1917). The plants 

 were not sent, however, but in 1918 and 1919 a considerable quantity 

 was obtained and preliminary experiments made. 



These experiments showed conclusively that the plant is poisonous 

 to cattle and sheep. Further extended experiments are necessary, 

 but meantime it is thought important to report the result of the pre- 

 liminary work that stockmen may be warned of the danger from the 

 plant. 



153588°— Cir. 81—20 3 



