The Sumacs. 297 



ropean shrub that is sometimes cultivated as a hedge-plant, and 

 when alone growing to a small sized tree. About sixty species of 

 the Rhamnus are described by botanists, occurring as natives of 

 Europe, Asia, and America. They prefer the warmer parts of the 

 temperate zone, are rare in the tropics, and do not occur in Austra- 

 lia or the Pacific islands. About a dozen species occur within the 

 United States, mostly thorny shrubs, some of them with evergreen 

 leaves, but not of much account for cultivation, unless, perhaps, as 

 hedge plants. 



The Sumacs (Genus Rhus.) 



1220. Of these there are some 120 species' chiefly found in South 

 Africa, and the warmer parts of extra-tropical countries in both 

 hemispheres, a few being found within the tropics. About 14 spe- 

 cies occur within the United States. 



1221. The Stag-Horn Sumac {Rhus typhina). This is a small 

 tree or more frequently a shrub, growing from Canada southward to 

 South Carolina and Louisiana, and westward to Iowa. It some- 

 times is found 25 feet high and one foot in diameter. The wood 

 when freshly cut has a rich, glossy, golden and brown color, but 

 this fades when exposed to the sun. The leaves are used for tanning 

 and dyeing. 



1222. The Smooth Sumac {Rhus glabra). This occurs in about 

 the same range as the preceding, but is smaller. The leaves con- 

 tain more tannin than the last named, and aiford most of the sumac 

 that comes to market from Virginia, as a tanning material. 



1223. Rhus lauriana. A large evergreen and leafy shrub, with 

 an aromatic odor, found in California from Santa Barbara to San 

 Dieeo. The pulp of the dry fruit is waxy, and the seeds are said 

 to contain a pungent oil. 



1224. Rhus integrifolia. This is a stout-branching evergreen 

 shrub, 5 to 10 feet high,, occurring along clifis near the sea, from 

 Santa Barbara to San Diego, and also in the interior. The bark 

 exudes an astringent gum resin. 



1225. Several of the sumacs {Rhus tosModendron, R. venenata, R. 

 pumila, R. diversiloha) are poisonous to some persons, when handled, 

 causing a painful eruption and swelling that may continue several 



days. 



The Sassafras (Sassafras officinale). 



1226. This belongs to the laurel family, and is widely, distributed 



