UNITED STATES. 159 
talum and ‘acerifolium), Smooth Sumach (Rhus glabra, the 
fruit of this is very agreeably acid), Elder (Sambucus nigra, 
var.? Canadensis), Dog-wood (Cornus florida), Huckleberry | 
(Vaccinium resinosum and Pennsylvanicum), Winterberry (Prinos 
verticillata), Clematis Virginiana, with many others. Entering 
a thick wood, we found the beautiful Habenaria ciliaris with 
its spikes of fine orange-coloured flowers in full perfection, 
also Cypripedium humile, Discorea villosa, Chimaphila umbellata, 
and C. maculata, Tephrosim Virginica, Polygala purpurea, and 
several species of Aster ; whilst under the bushes grew the fine 
Club-mosses (Lycopodium complanatum and dendroideum). In 
the same wood was a fine specimen of the Poison Ash (Rhus 
venenata), so remarkable for the injurious effect of its exhalations 
on certain constitutions, and their absolute inertness in respect to 
others. To this latter class belonggDr. Darlington and myself, on 
whom the tree exerts not the smallest noxious influence ; whilst to 
my companion on the present occasion, it proves so inimical that 
he is unable to gather a leaf, nor even closely to approach the tree 
without experiencing severe effects : he therefore contented himself 
with pointing out the species to my notice at a respectful distance, 
accompanied by a friendly caution against relying too securely on 
my supposed invulnerability, while he prudently declined proffering 
assistance in procuring specimens. Emboldened, however, by the 
impunity with which experience had a little before taught me I 
might venture to handle two scarcely less virulent shrubs of the 
same genus, namely, the Poison Vine and Poison Oak (R. ra- 
dicans and Toxicodendron), Y hesitated not to march up boldly to 
this western Upas tree; and after stocking my vasculum with a 
sufficiency of its dismembered branches, I rubbed the bruised leaves 
over my face and hands, the pores being then freely open, through 
the intense heat of the weather. My friend said nothing; but I 
read amazement in his countenance at my presumption, and a shrewd 
guess was perhaps passing in his mind that the penalty would be 
exacted of my rashness in due time ; nor indeed, to say the truth, 
Was I quite without misgivings as to the possible consequences of 
my temerity, until the full interval had elapsed within which the 
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