IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 287 



Rhus glabra, Linne. 



North America, extending to 54 north latitude. This Sumach 

 shrub will grow on rocky and sterile soil. It produces a kind of 

 gall, and can also be used as a good substitute for the ordinary 

 Sumach. This species can be easily multiplied from suckers. It 

 will live on poor soil. American Sumachs contain generally from 

 15 to 20 per cent., or occasionally up to 26 per cent, tannin. 



Rhus lucida, Linne. 



South Africa. This shrub proved in Victoria of particular adapt- 

 ability for forming hedges ; it is evergreen, close growing, and 

 stands clipping well. About half a hundred South African species 

 are known, of which probably some could be utilised like ordinary 

 Sumach, but hitherto we have remained unacquainted with the 

 nature and degree of any of their tanning and colouring principles. 



Rhus semialata, Murray. 



China and Japan, extending to the Himalayas. Attains a height 

 of 40 feet. This shrub produces a kind of nutgalls. 



Rhus succedanea, Linne. 



The Japan Wax Tree, the produce of which has found its way 

 into the English market. The crushed berries are steamed and 

 pressed, furnishing about 15 per cent, of wax, which consists 

 mainly of palmatin and palmitic acid. Rhus silvestris (Sieb & 

 Zucc.) and R. vernicif era yield there a similar wax. 



Rhus typhina, Linne. 



The Staghorn Sumach. North America, extending to Canada. 

 This species will grow to a tree of 30 feet high. Its wood is of an 

 orange tinge. Through incisions into the bark a kind of Copal is 

 obtained. The leaves can be used like ordinary Sumach. This 

 bush can be reared on inferior land. The leaves of American 

 Sumach must be collected early in the season if a clear white 

 leather like that from Sicilian Sumach is to be obtained. This can 

 be ascertained by the colour of the precipitate made with gelatine. 



Rhus vernicifera, Candolle. 



Extends from Nepal to Japan. It forms a tree of fair size and 

 yields the Japan varnish. It ascends in India to 7,000 feet, but 

 Stewart and Brandis are doubtful whether the Japan species (R. 

 Vernix, L.) is really identical with the Indian. The fruit yields 

 vegetable wax. 



Ribes aureum, Pursh. 



Arkansas, Missouri, Oregon. This favourite bush of our shrub- 

 beries would likely in our forest streams produce its pleasant 



