lis ANACARmACE.E. , 



an odil terminal one, lanceolate-ohlong, pointed, serrate, Rinooth and glau- 

 cous above, whitinh beneath. The flowers ajjpcar in Juno ; the fruit ripens 

 in September. 



Jlahildl. — III dry, rocky, and rather barren places throughout the United 

 States and Canada. 



Rhus typhina humi'.—Slarjhorn Sumac. 



Ih'i^criptinn. — A large; shrub or small tree, 10 to 30 feet high, the young 

 bi'anehes as well as the leaf- and flower-stalks densely coated with soft vel- 

 vety hairs. L(!afl()ts in 5 to 15 pairs, with an odd terminal one, oblong- 

 lanceolate, point('<l, serrate. The flowers appear in June ; the fruit ripens 

 in September. ]\ruch more robust than the preceding species. The pith, 

 though large in the young branches, is surrounded in later years by a thick 

 layer of rather dense yellow Avood. 



Ilaliilal. — In rich uplands, United States and Canada. 



Rhus COpallina Linnr. — Dirarf Siuikic. 



Di'ftrn'iilloi). — A small shrub, 1 to 7 feet high, with straggling branches 

 and running roots. Branches and stalks downy. Petioles wing-mar- 

 gined ; leaflets in 4 to 10 pairs, with an odd terminal one, oblong or ovate- 

 Luiccolate, oblique, sinooth and shining above, pubescent beneath. 



Ilabilat. — In barren and rocky situations. United States and Ciuiada. 



i'rtr/.s Um'cL — Of lihus glabra, the fruit — United Sfulcs Flun'niardjMvut. 

 The fruit of both E. ti/phina and II. vopuUina is possessed of in'operties 

 identical with those of the official plant, and may bo substituted as occa- 

 sion recpiires. The leaves and bark of all the species have been eniplo^-ed 

 but nre not official. 



ConslUwntx. — Svnnac berries, as they are called, have a pleasant acid, 

 astringent taste, due to the presence of malic acid in the dense crimson 

 pubescence which covers them. This acid is present both in a free state 

 and in combination as malate of calcium, and is associated with tannic and 

 gallic acids, coloring matter, etc. 



Sumac leaves are comparatively rich in tannic and gallic acids, so much 

 so, indeed, as to be of economic importance in the tanning of leather. 

 Excrescences, or galls, are produced upon them which are said to be hardly 

 inferior to the galls of commerce. The bark is also possessed of astringent 

 properties, but to a more limited extent than the leaves. 



I'reparation^. — Extractum rhois glabra) fluidum — fluid exti'act of rhus 

 glabra, — United Stafex Fhnrmacop(eia. Of the other species there are no 

 official preparations. The berries of all the species are frequently em- 

 ployed in infusion, and when they can be obtained in good condition this 

 form is undoubtedly the most eligible one to use, either topically or inter- 

 nally. The leaves may l)e employed in infusion or decoction. 



Medical Pi'oprrties and Uf<es. — Sumac berries are astringent and refrig- 

 erant. An infusion has long been used in domestic practice, internally 

 for refrigerant eflect in febrile and inflammatory atiections, and topically 



