STOCK-POISOXING PLANTS OF THE RANGE. 11 
altitudes than D. menziesii and apparently never grows in sufficiently 
large masses to be dangerous. The low larkspur D. andersonii, 
growing in Nevada, California, and Oregon, causes many fatalities. 
The low larkspurs are poisonous throughout the whole period of 
their lives, while the tall larkspurs gradually lose their poisonous 
properties after blossoming. 
In Plate IX is shown a larkspur with white blossoms, Delphinium 
virescens, which is quite common in the plains regions east of the 
Rocky Mountains. This plant probably rarely occurs in sufficient 
abundance to cause harm, but there is reason to think that at some 
seasons it has occasioned the death of a considerable number of 
cattle. 
Parts of Larkspurs Poisonous. 
There is a general belief throughout the "West that it is the roots of 
the larkspur which are particularly poisonous. Experiments have 
proved conclusively, however, that the different parts of the plant 
are equally poisonous, with the exception that the seeds are espe- 
cially so. Probably in almost all cases of larkspur poisoning the 
trouble is caused by eating the leaves, sometimes with the flowers. 
As was said before, most of the cases of larkspur poisoning occur 
in the spring or early summer. 
Animals Poisoned by the Larkspurs. 
While horses can be poisoned by corral feeding of larkspurs, 
there is reason to think that if left to themselves upon the range 
they never eat enough of these plants to do any harm. Sheep eat 
the larkspurs freely without suffering any evil consequences. There 
is quite a general belief in many regions of the West that losses of 
sheep have been caused by larkspur feeding, but extensive experi- 
ments upon a large number of species, and in different regions, have 
proved conclusively that sheep can be grazed upon larkspur without 
any risk whatever. In fact, it may almost be said that larkspur 
furnishes good forage for sheep. The losses from larkspur poison- 
ing, then, are altogether with cattle, and these losses are very heavy. 
Symptoms of Larkspur Poisoning. 
While the result of corral feeding shows that there are a number 
of preliminary symptoms, as animals are noticed upon the range 
the first symptom commonly observed is the sudden falling of the 
animal, accompanied by violent struggles. The animal is unable to 
rise, but after a few moments may get upon its feet and walk away, 
and show no further symptoms. In more acute cases of poisoning 
the first fall will be followed by a second, and that possibly by a 
succession of falls, which in severe cases of poisoning are followed 
by complete prostration, vomiting, and death. Plate X shows some 
of the attitudes assumed by a severely poisoned animal. 
Treatment of Cattle Poisoned By Larkspur. 
Inasmuch as death from larkspur poisoning is caused by respira- 
tory paralysis, it is very important, if the animal is found poisoned 
by this plant, that immediate means shall be taken to relieve the 
