=Common Elder= (_Sambucus nigra_ L.) and =Dwarf Elder= (_S. Ebulus_ L.). These two plants are usually avoided by stock, no doubt in view of their odour, more particularly in the case of the latter species. The bark, leaves and berries of both species were noticed by Cornevin as having pronounced purgative properties, and the berries of _S. Ebulus_ as having poisoned turkeys. Esser remarks that the use of _S. Ebulus_ by country folk as a purgative has caused fatal poisoning. The leaves of _S. nigra_ have caused severe irritant poisoning in a child. _Toxic Principle._ Some doubt exists as to the poisonous principle of the Elders, the leaves of which contain _Sambunigrin_ (C_{14}H_{17}O_{6}N), a cyanogenetic glucoside; the alkaloid _Sambucine_; and a purgative principle. According to Cornevin drying reduces the toxicity but does not destroy it. _Symptoms._ The symptoms are not very definite, but small quantities cause purgation, while large quantities induce depression and violent emetic and cathartic effects, with diarrhœa, abundant diuresis and acceleration of pulse. The leaves of _S. Ebulus_ have caused vomiting, obstinate constipation and enteritis in a boy, and in the case of another boy the flowers caused vertigo and headache. REFERENCES. 4, 73, 81, 203, 233. COMPOSITÆ. =Tansy= (_Tanacetum vulgare_ L.). Live stock are most unlikely to eat this plant, as it is bitter and acrid. Cattle appear to have been poisoned by it in Germany, Kobert’s opinion being that death had resulted from tansy. There have also been many serious cases of human poisoning. _Toxic Principle._ Tansy contains the bitter, volatile and poisonous _Oil of Tansy_. _Symptoms._ Tansy Oil has been employed as an abortifacient, and produces convulsions, violent spasms, frequent and feeble pulse, and paralysis of the heart and lungs, inducing a condition similar to that observed in rabies. Pammel cites cases of the action of the oil from the plant on _dogs_. According to Pott the tansy imparts a bitter taste to the milk of cows which eat it. REFERENCES. 161, 203, 204, 213. =Ragwort= (_Senecio Jacobœa_ L.). No suspicion appears to have been focussed on Ragwort in Britain, but it must be recorded here as the cause in Canada of the Pictou cattle disease, or hepatic cirrhosis, a somewhat fatal disease which has caused much loss during the last few years. In New Zealand also the same disease has been experienced, and has caused considerable mortality among sheep. In one case sheep were closely pastured on about 4000 acres with the object of eradicating the too prevalent weed, but after a year losses ensued. Gilruth concluded that if the weed does not monopolise the ground, sheep may, with few exceptions, eat it daily without suffering ill effects. Cattle and horses avoided it when possible.