1885.] PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 511 



Rhus Toxicodendron, L. (Poison Ivy.) 



Very commou wbody climber on all the streams of Western and 

 Southern Texas, readily recognized by its trifoliate (rarely quiuquefoli- 

 ate) leaves. 



The peculiarly distressing eczematous inflammation produced by the 

 leaves of this plant, even without a(;tual contact, is well known. It is 

 said to be promptly checked and cured by the fluid extract of Serpen- 

 taria. The tincture of Grindelia robusta, the Gum-plant of California, 

 used as a remedy in poisoning by Rhus diversiloba, and that of G. squar- 

 rosa, a common herb in W, Texas, may also be found useful against 

 Poison Ivy. 



Pistacia Mexicana, HBK. 



Small tree, with an edible nut, found by Bigelow near the mouth of 

 the Pecos. I failed to see it in that locality or anywhere else in Texas. 



VITACEiE. 



Vitis candicans, Engelm. (Mustaag Grape.) 



Common along streams, at San Antonio, westward to Devil's Eiver 

 and southward to the Kio Grande. The best of the wild Texas Grapes, 

 the small bunches of large berries maturing late in June. A form was 

 seen on the Rio Salado, near San Antonio, with more acidulous berries, 

 ripening later in the summer. 



Vitis aestivalis, Mx. (Summer Grape.) 



High climber, common at San Antonio and westward to Devil's Eiver. 

 Berries rather acerb, much smaller and maturing later than in the pre- 

 ceding. The var. cinerea, common at Dallas, is rare in Southwestern 

 Texas. A form (close to V. riparia) was seen in the caQons of the Bo- 

 fecillos Mountains and farther west, with very palatable fruit ripe in 

 August. 



Vitis riparia, Mx. (Arroyo Grape.) 



Common in most watered canons in Western Texas. Thrifty climber, 

 the small but excellent berries maturing in October. 



Vitis rupestris, Scheele. (Mountaiu Grape. ) 



Small, bushy plant, a few feet high, rarely climbing. Said to grow 

 on the hillsides of the Limpio and other mountains. I only found it in 

 the valley of Devil's River. Berries in very small bunches, ripening in 

 June. 



Viti.s incisa, Nutt. (Yerba del Buey.) 



Ornamental vine, with 3-lobed, or trifoliate, shining, fleshy leaves j 

 common on fences and walls at San Antonio, and south and west of it in 

 shady places. The long, filamentous roots bear large, globose, tuber- 

 ous thickenings, like marbles or balls strung on a string, which are very 

 l)oisonous, causing violent vomiting and purging. 



