36-4 
Calcium Bimalate.—This salt is found clinging to the hairs of the fruit as a 
concretion exuded from them; when soaked off the fruits are no longer sour. 
Oil of Rhus.—This waxy oil may be extracted from the seeds of this and other 
species of the genus. It will acquire a tallow-like consistence on standing, and can 
be made into candles, which burn brilliantly, but emit a very annoying pungent 
smoke. 
Resin, oleo-resin, sugar, starch, coloring matter, and gum, have also been 
determined.* 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION.—Rhus glabra caused in one individual, in doses 
of from 30 to 120 drops of the tincture, headache, dryness and heat of the nostrils, 
with hemorrhage, ulceration of the mouth, loss of appetite, with painful distress in 
the stomach and bowels, followed by diarrhcea, scanty secretion of urine, great 
weariness and fatigue, loss of flesh, heat and dryness of the skin, followed by 
copious sweat during sleep.t| One symptom was also developed in this case that 
I desire to comment upon, viz.: “ Dreams of flying through the air.” During the 
summer of 1879, while botanizing near Bergen Point, N. J., 1 came into a swarm 
of furious mosquitoes; quickly cutting a large branch from a sumach bush at 
hand, I used it vigorously to fight off the pests. Several fine specimens of Baptisia 
tinctoria grew at hand, and while studying them I kept the sumach branch in con- 
stant motion, perspiring freely during the time. On leaving the spot I cut a cane from 
the same shrub, and also ate of the refreshing berries. For three successive nights 
following this occurrence I flew (!) over the city of New York with a graceful and 
- delicious motion that I would give several years of my life to experience in reality. 
Query: Did I absorb from my perspiring hands sufficient juice of the bark to 
_ produce the effect of the drug, or was it from the berries I held in my mouth? 
_ I noticed no other symptoms, and never before or since enjoyed a like dream. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 36. 
__ 1, End of flowering branch, Waverly, N. Y., July 4th, 1884. 
2. Flower. 
3: Petal: 
2. 40 Fistil. 
5. Stamen, lobe of disk, and sepal. 
(2-5 enlarged. ) 
Pike 
* Am. Four. Phar., N.S., i. 56; ibid., XXV., 193; Tilden, Four. Mat, Med., N. S.,i..195; Proc. Royal Society, — 
862, 402. + Dr. Marshall in Hale’s New Rem., 2d ed., 872. 
