The Sumacs. 297 



ropean shrub that is sometimes cultivated as a hedge-plant, and 

 when alone growing to a small sized tree. About sixty species of 

 the Rhamnus are described by botanists, occurring as natives of 

 Europe, Asia, and America. They prefer the warmer parts of the 

 temperate zone, are rare in the tropics, and do not occur in Austra- 

 lia or the Pacific islands. About a dozen species occur within the 

 United States, mostly thorny shrubs, some of them with evergreen 

 leaves, but not of much account for cultivation, unless, perhaps, as 

 hedge plants. 



Tin: SI-MACS ((ienus A'/I/M.) 



1220. Of these there are some 120 species, chiefly found in South 

 Africa, and the warmer pans of extra-tropical countries in both 

 hemispheres, a few being found within the tropics. About 14 spe- 

 cie- occur within the United Stales. 



1221. THE STAU-HOKN SUMAC i Him* tiijiliiiia'). This is a small 

 tret; or more frequently a shrub, growing from Canada southward to 

 South Carolina and Louisiana, and we>t \\ard to luwa. It some- 

 times is found 2.") i'eet high and one foot in diameter. The wood 

 when freshly cut has a rich, glossy, golden and brown color, but 

 this fades when exposed to the sun. The leaves are used for tanning 

 and dyeing. 



1222. Tin: SMOOTH STMAC i Hints glabra). This occurs in about 

 the same range as the preceding, but is smaller. The leaves con- 

 tain more tannin than the last named, and afford most of the sumac 

 that comes to market from Virginia, as a tanning material. 



1223. Rhus lauriana. A large evergreen and leafy shrub, with 

 an aromatic odor, found in California from Santa Barbara to San 

 Diesro. The pulp of the dry fruit is waxy, and the seeds are said 

 to contain a pungent oil. 



1224. Rhus intcyri folia. This is a stout-branching evergreen 

 shrub, 5 to 10 feet high, occurring along cliffs near the sea, from 

 Santa Barbara to San Diego, and also in the interior. The bark 

 exudes an astringent gum resin. 



1225. Several of the sumacs (Rhus toxicodendron, R. venenata, jR. 

 pumila, R. diversiloba) are poisonous to some persons, when handled, 

 causing a painful eruption and swelling that may continue several 

 days. 



THE SASSAFRAS (Sassafras officinale). 



1226. This belongs to the laurel family, and is widely distributed 



