100 History of Hingham. 



This includes the species best known to us as poisonous. One 

 of them, Rhus venenata, or Poison Sumach, often called the 

 Poison Dogwood, is found in nearly all our swamps. It is poi- 

 sonous alike to the touch and taste, and at times imparts its 

 noxious qualities to the atmosphere about it so as to cause per- 

 sons inhaling it to be seriously affected. Common as this small 

 tree is in Hingham, but few recognize it readily, and as it 

 is particularly beautiful when colored by the tints of autumn, it is 

 often collected, much to the suffering of those who handle it. It 

 differs from the Rhus typhina and the Rhus glabra in having no 

 serratures on the leaflets. 



Another species of the same genus common with us is the 

 Rhus toxicodendron, known generally as the Poison Ivy. This 

 is also a very pernicious plant to handle, though upon many per- 

 sons it seems to have no effect. Undoubtedly both the species 

 are more dangerous at times than at others, and something prob- 

 ably depends on the condition of the individual. This is cer- 

 tainly true, and it should be a strong incentive for precaution 

 that when a person has once been poisoned, the system is ever 

 after more susceptible to the noxious influence than before. 



Rhus, L. 



typhina, L. Stag-horn Sumach, 

 glabra. L. Smooth Sumach, 

 copallina, L. Dwarf Sumach, 

 venenata, D C. Poison Dogwood. 

 Toxicodendron, L. Poison Ivy. 



23. POLYGALACE5]. (MILKWORT FAMILY.) 



Herbaceous plants, one genus of which only occurs in Hing- 

 ham, --the Polygala. The name "milkwort" was given from 

 the supposed influence of the plants in increasing the secretion 

 of milk in the animal system. The roots of several species are 

 used medicinally, and those of one. the P. Senega, are found very 

 serviceable in many affections. These are known to us as the 

 Senega root or Snake root. 



Polygala, Tourn. 

 sanguinea, L. 

 cruciata, L. 

 verticillata, L. 



verticillata, var. ambigua. Nutt. 

 polygama, Walt. 



24. LEGUMINOS-SB. (PULSE FAMILY.) 



A very large family, six or seven thousand species being 

 known. It embraces trees, shrubs, and herbs. The most of the 

 plants have papilionaceous flowers, so called from their fancied re- 

 semblance to butterflies. All the native species found in Hing- 



