16 NAT. ORDER. — DDMOSjE. 



juice of this plant, trying it upon Iiiiaself, even rubbing it in the 

 eyes, without producing any bad effect, but on another person's hand, 

 which he had covered very thick with it, the skin a few hours after- 

 wards become as hard as tanned leather, and peeled off afterwards 

 in scales. There are three other varieties, differing but very little 

 in general appearance, and equally poisonous. This is a native of 

 North America, from Canada to Georgia, common in all woods, fields, 

 and along fences. It flowers in July. 



Bush toxicodendron. Common Poison-tree, or Poison Oak. This 

 is a slirub creepmg upon walls ; leaflets deeply angled or sinuated, 

 pubescent ; flowers greenish. According to Nuttal, this is a truly 

 distinct species from the preceding. The juice of this plant is 

 milky when it first exudes, but becomes jet-black by exposure to 

 the air. It is poisonous to the touch. It was first tried as a 

 medicine by Dr. Alderson, of Hull, in imitation of experiments of 

 M. Fresnoi, with the Rhus radicans. He gave it in four cases of 

 paralysis, in doses of half a grain or a grain tlu^ee times a day, and 

 all his patients recovered to a certain degree the use of their limbs. 

 The first symptoms of amendment was always an unpleasant feel- 

 ing of prickling, itching or twiching in the paralytic limbs. Dr. 

 Duncan has given it in larger doses, without experiencing the 

 same success ; it was not, however, inactive. In one case the 

 patient discontinued its use on account of the disagreeable prickling 

 it occasioned, and in general it operated as a gentle laxative, not- 

 withstanding the torpid state of the bowels of such patients. It is a 

 native of North America, along with the Rhus radicans. It flowers 

 in Jmie and July. 



Propagation and Culture. The hardy species of this genus are 

 very proper for shubberies ; some of them are propagated freely from 

 cuttings of the roots, and others from cuttings and layers. The green- 

 house and stove species will grow in any kind of soU, and ripened 



