POISON SUMACH. 409 
Many interesting observations on the proper- 
ties of these species of Sumach, will be found in 
an inaugural dissertation, by Dr. Thomas Hors- 
field of Bethlehem, Pa. a work of much industry 
and merit. 
In the New York Medical Repository is ‘an 
account of a swarm of bees, which, having alight- 
ed on the branches of the Rhus vernix, were. the 
next day found dead, with their bodies black and 
swollen. This is a remarkable circumstance, 
There is certainly no instinctive aversion in these 
animals for the tree. In the flowering season the 
blossoms, which are very fragrant, are always 
thronged with a multitude of winged insects in 
quest of their honey. 
The introduction of the juice into the arts 
will not perhaps take place among us, during the 
present high price of labour, and the general pre- | 
judice which exists against the shrub, In some fu- 
ture period, it is probable that a substance, which is 
found so valuable in the eastern countries, will 
not be neglected among us. It might safely be 
procured by persons not subject to the poison, 
and, with proper precautions, would injure no one 
during its preparation and use. A pound of the 
juice in a day might be collected by an indiyid- 
ual. When thoroughly dry, it ceases to emit an 
