REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 



Sie : I have the honor to submit the following papers upon subjects 

 which have received the attention of the Botanical Bureau during the 

 current year. They relate to plants which deserve consideration, some 

 on account of injurious and poisonous properties, some for their medici- 

 nal qualities, and some for their rarity or limited location. 



The medicinal plants of this country have lately been the subject of 

 increased interest. A large and important industry has been devel- 

 oped in their collection and preparation for market in several States, 

 and especially in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. 



A number of new medicinal plants have also been introduced from 

 California, and a spirit of investigation is leading to many new discov- 

 eries in regard to the properties of such plants. 



The question of the cultivation of our medicinal plants has been re- 

 cently discussed, and in view of the large drain upon the natural or 

 wild plants for commercial purposes, it would seem likely that their 

 cultivation will soon become a necessity, even if it were not more profit- 

 able as a special industry. 

 Eespectfully, 



GEO. VASEY, 



Botanist 



Hon. Geo. B. Loring, 



Commissioner. 



LOCO WEEDS. 



Since the development of the stock-raising industry on the great 

 Western plains and in California it is well known that animals feeding 

 on the wild grasses and other plants have been frequently attacked with 

 symptoms of a peculiar character, which have been attributed to the 

 effect of certain plants. This disease among cattle and other animals is 

 commonly called " loco." Among the symptoms first noticed are loss 

 of flesh, general lassitude, and impaired vision ; later the animal's brain 

 seems to be affected ; it becomes vicious and unmanageable, and rapidly 

 loses both flesh and strength. Frequently, when approaching some 

 small object, it will leap into the air as if to clear a fence. The animal 

 also totters on its limbs and appears as if crazy. 



After becoming affected the animal may linger many months or a year 

 or two, but usually dies at last from the effects of the complaint. 



This diseased condition has been attributed to various plants, but 

 mainly to a few which belong to the order Leguminosce. Of these, two 

 species of Astragalus have been ascertained in California, and in Colo- 

 rado and New Mexico another species of Astragalus (A. mollissimas) and 



123 



