The Botany of Hingham. 99 



20. viTACEiE. (Vine Family.) 



Climbing shrubs, represented in Hingham by two genera, — 

 Vitis, the Grape, and Ampelopsis, the Virginia Creeper or Wood- 

 bine. The estimable products of the vine are well known ; and, 

 alas ! the effects of misuse of them too much so. The beauty of 

 the Ampelopsis, as it climbs upon trees within its reach, espe- 

 cially when its deeply tinted leaves in autumn contrast with the 

 dark-green foliage of the Savin, affords a great charm to every 

 observant eye. 



Vitis, Toum. 



Labrusca, L. Fox Grape. 



aestivalis, Mx. Summer Qrape. 

 Ampelopsis, Mx. 



quinquefolia, Mx. Virginia Creeper. Woodbine. 



21. SAPINDACEiE. (MAPLE FAMILY.) 



Trees, shrubs, and herbs. This order enriches our flora with 

 the Sugar Maple and the Red Maple. Among those introduced 

 for ornamental purposes are the Horse Chestnut, several species 

 of the Buckeye, and the Negundo or Ash-leaved Maple. 



Narcotic and poisonous properties are found in some of the 

 plants of the order ; yet bread is made from the seeds of one 

 species. The nuts of the common Horse Chestnut contain a 

 large proportion of starch, which renders them a very valuable 

 food for cattle, swine, sheep, and horses. They are thus used 

 extensively abroad, while here they are allowed to rot upon the 

 ground. This is a matter worthy the consideration of those who 

 have these trees upon their premises. 



It is stated that the fruit and leaves of the Buckeye of Ohio, 

 the tEscuIus glabra, are quite poisonous. As this tree is found 

 in cultivation with us, care should be taken not to confound the 

 fruit with that of the common Horse Chestnut. 



The bark of several species is bitter and astringent, sometimes 

 used for tanning and dyeing, and also in medicine, as a substi- 

 tute for Peruvian bark. 



Acer, Toum. 



saechaiinum, Wang. Sugar Maple, 

 rubrum, L. Red Maple. 



22. ANACARDIACE51. (SUMACH FAMILY.) 



Trees or shrubs, with alternate leaves and inconspicuous 

 flowers, having a resinous juice, which is acrid and sometimes 

 poisonous. Some bear wholesome fruits ; others furnish valuable 

 varnishes. We have in Hingham but one genus, — the Rhus. 



