Euphorbiaeeae-Anaeardiaceae. 



while in the shaded ravines it becomes a tree 15 to 18 feet in height. It asso- 

 ciates with Pittosporum glomeratum, Straussia sp., PsycJiortia hexandra, Ptero- 

 tropia gymnocarpa, Cyrtandra, many Lobelias and other plants peculiar to the 

 rain forest, of which this tree is also typical. 



A N ACARDI ACEAE. 



This family, which consists of 58 genera with over 420 species, reaches its best 

 development in the tropical regions of the old and new world, but mainly in the 

 Malayan Archipelago. Only a few genera occur in the extra tropical regions of 

 the northern and southern hemispheres, as in the Mediterranean, and Manchu- 

 rian- Japanese regions, in the forests of North America, and in the Andes region 

 of South America. 



Among the most useful members of this family are the Mango {Mangifera 

 indica), Wi {Spondias dulcis), Cacheu-nut {Anacardium occidentale) and many 

 others. 



RHUS L. 



Flowers polygamous, calyx 5-lobed. Petals longer than the calyx, both imbricate. 

 Stamens inserted below a broad discus, with subulate filaments, and ovate anthers, in the 

 female flowers often small. Ovary ovate or subglobose, with a single ovule suspended 

 from an erect funis; styles terminal 3, free or somewhat united, with truncate or capitate 

 stigmas. Drupe globose or compressed, with thin glabrous or tomentose exocarp. Seeds 

 ovate or reniform with thin testa. — Shrubs or trees with alternate, simple, trifoliate or 

 pinnate leaves, and usually small flowers arranged in compound panicles. 



The genus Ehus has the largest number of species of any genus of the above 

 family. It consists of over 120 species and subspecies, and is distributed over 

 the tropics, subtropics and temperate zones, but chiefly in South Africa. Sev- 

 eral species are found in the Viti (Fiji) and Society Islands. 



The Hawaiian variety of B. semialata differs from the species in having the 

 rhachis of the leaf not winged. 



R. semialata extends from the Himalaya Mts. through China to Japan. 



The Japanese Sumach {B. vernix) has been introduced into the islands here. 



Some species of Rhus are poisonous to the touch, others are employed for tan- 

 ning and dyeing purposes. 



The Tahitian name of B. Taitensis, peculiar to the South Sea Islands (Samoa, 

 Viti, and Tongan Islands) is "Waiwai," in Samoa "Tavai." 



Rhus semialata Murr. var. sandwicensis Engl. 

 Neneleau or Neleau. 



RHUS SEMIALATA Murr. var. SANDWICENSIS Engl, in DC. Monogr. IV. (1883) 380;— 

 Hbd. PI. Haw. Isl. (1888) 89;— Del Cast. 111. Fl. Ins. Mar. Pac. VI. (1890) 145;— 

 Engler in Engl, et Prantl Pflzfam. III. 5 (1896) 168.— R. semiala.ta Murr., Mann 

 Proe. Am. Acad. VII. (1867) 162, et PI. Haw. Isl. (1867) 177.— Rhus sandwicensis 

 Gray Bot. tJ. S. E. E. (1854) 369,— Toxicodendron semialatum (Murr.) 0. Ktze Eev. 

 Gen. PI. I. (1891) 154. 



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