790 



THE AMERICAN NATURALIST [Vol. XL 



absolutely unpalatable. Sheep owners have accordingly found 

 mountain ranges which are extremely dangerous for sheep during 

 the wet months of early summer, quite safe during the months 

 from July to September inclusive. Similarly, during the wet 

 season and when feeding immediately after heavy rainstorms 

 domesticated animals are more apt to pull up the roots of plants 

 than when the ground is dry (Chestnut, 1901, p. 26), and, as is 

 well known, in the case of many poisonous plants it is the roots 



(h) Fatal Efjcds of Snowstorms. — After heavy snowstorms 

 wlicii the grass is covered by snow it often happens that only the 

 tjiller species of plants are exposed (Chestnut, 1901, p. 27). In 

 such cases the poisonous larkspurs (Delphinium (jlaucum) are 

 greedily eaten by cattle, which would otherwise avoid these plants. 

 This tendency is increased by tlie fact that ruminants do not feel 

 at ease so long as the stomach is not full and. are inclined to eat 

 anything in sight after a snowfall. Iti seasons of drought certain 

 poisonous leguminous plants remain green and tempting after 

 the gras.es have l.ccnnK- th.>^.uJll^ dried. Tudor (hcMM-onditions 



nut, 1901, ]). 29). 



(r) l-alali:fjn-ls<,ji:ninirnl Srnjratinn.- It i. ol .MTN ed i Che^t UKt , 

 1901, p. IM . aiu..ng.lniu(-ti(Mt(M! ;uiiui:r> that ulicn tVc( ling < |uict ly 



fc.rauv plants, l.n't uhcu l.riug driNru nr right u.ih-s a da\ ihey 



