IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 279 



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. 



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, CandoUe. 



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, bat Stewart and Brandis are doubtful whether the 

 Japan species (R. Vernix, L.) is really identical with the 

 Indian. 



Ribes aureum, Pursh. 



Arkansas, Missouri, Oregon. This* favourite bush of our 

 shrubberies would likely in our forest streams produce its 

 pleasant berries, which turn from yellow to brown or black. 

 Professor Meehan mentions a variety or allied species from 

 Utah, with berries larger than those of the black currant; 

 they are quite a good table-fruit, and of all shades from orange 

 to black. Allied to this is R. tenuiflorum (Lindl.), of Cali- 

 fornia and the nearest States, with fruits of the size of red 

 currants, of agreeable flavour, and either dark purple or yellow 

 colour. R. aureum, R. palmatum, and some other strong 

 American species have come into use for grafting on them the 

 European Gooseberry (C. Pohl.) 



Ribes Cynosbati, Linne. 



The Prickly-fruited Gooseberry of Canada and the Northern 



