94 



DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



7. R. coriaria, W, (Hide-tauuiug Rhus.) Stem 6 to 10 feet in height, 

 dividiug uear tlie root into an irregular ramification ; bark hairy, and of a 

 brown color. Leaves compound alternate, in 7 or 8 pairs of leaflets, and a ter- 

 minal one yellowish-green and hairy on the under side. Flowers in terminal, 

 loose panicles, greenish-white. 



Geography. — All the above-described species are indigenous in North 

 America, except R. coriaria. The American species are common throughout 

 the northeastern parts of North America, from Canada to tlie Gulf States. 

 The Cotiuus is found in Arkansas, and is identical with the European species, 

 which is indigenous from the Levant to Western Europe. The Coriaria is 

 indigenous in Syria, but has been introduced into Sicily, Italy, and Turkey, 

 also into Spain and Portugal, where it is carefully and extensively cultivated. 



Rhus Cotinus (Venetian Sumach). 



The bark of all the American species is highly charged with tannin. The 

 Coriaria is especially rich in this material, and is so highly prized as to have 

 found a market in America. 



Etymology. — Rhus is from the Greek word povs, an old name, the significa- 

 tion of which is not known. It is also supposed to have been derived from the 

 Celtic word rhudd, signifying " red," due to the color of the fruit. Sumach 

 is supposed to come from the Arabic summage, a shrub. Glabra signifies 

 "smooth," due to the smoothness of the leaves. Typhina, giant, on account 

 of the size. Copallina, connected, from the winged petiole by which the 

 leaflets are united. Venenata, from venenum, poison. Toxicodendron, from 

 the Greek to^ikov, poison, and SeySpov, a tree, hence poison-tree. Cotinus, 

 ancient name, signification obscure. Coriaria, from corium, a hide, referring 

 to the use of the bark and leaves of this species in tanning hides. 



Use. — The bark and leaves of most of the species of Rhus are charged 

 with tannin of a superior quality. The R. glabra In America and R. coriaria 

 in Europe are especially rich in this material, which is used in making the 

 fine moroccos. 



