_Toxic Principles._ Fauré found in the bark and leaves of box the toxic alkaloid _Buxine_, but it was believed that there were other toxic substances, since analysis showed the leaves to be less rich in Buxine than the bark, while they are three times as active. Other substances occurring in box are _Parabuxine_, _Buxinidine_, and _Parabuxinidine_. _Symptoms._ Small amounts have an emetic and purgative action; with average amounts, there are, in addition, nervous symptoms, lameness, muscular tremors, vertigo, then a period of coma. Large amounts cause death with intense abdominal pains, dysenteric flux, tenesmus, convulsions, respiratory and circulatory troubles. Pigs are chiefly affected after eating the leaves, exhibiting great thirst, uncertain gait and delirium, while death occurs within twenty-four hours. Pott gives the general symptoms as sickness, diarrhœa, giddiness, stupefaction, convulsive movements, and colic. REFERENCES. 4, 16, 73, 128, 190, 205, 213, 235. AMENTACEÆ. =The Oak= (_Quercus_ sp.). Injury to stock from the Oak has been due in the first place to the leaves, and in the second to the acorns. In regard to the leaves no injury appears to have been recorded in Britain, but Cornevin devotes attention only to poisoning by the leaves, which in special circumstances have caused serious accidents to animals which have eaten them. In France, cattle taken to the forests for grazing purposes browse on the young shoots and leaves of the oak, and after some days there arises a trouble long known as _Mal de Brou_ or _Maladie des Bois_, which may end fatally, sometimes even in 24 hours (see _Symptoms_ below). A case was also reported from Nebraska in 1903, ten head of cattle having apparently died from eating oak leaves, the trimmings from trees. The stomachs were full of the leaves, and the intestines had the appearance of being burned in places. There was no evidence of impaction. When the cut branches were removed no more cattle were lost. Serious losses have been caused through the ingestion of acorns by young cattle not over about two years old, the years 1808, 1870, 1884, and 1900 being especially noteworthy in this respect. Cattle over three years old have seldom been affected, while sheep and pigs, if not immune to “acorn poisoning,” are but slightly affected. Müller, however, states that horses, cattle, sheep, and goats are affected; 9 quarts (10 litres) taken in four days were sufficient to cause poisoning in the case of a bullock. It is believed by some observers that half-ripe acorns—_e.g._ acorns which may drop owing to drought—are more injurious than thoroughly ripened acorns.