434 BRECK’S NEW BOOK OF FLOWERS. 
shrubs, so as to conceal, as much as possible, its crooked, 
irregular stems and branches. There is no particular 
beauty in the flowers; but, in July and August, the heads 
of berries begin to assume a rich scarlet color, afterwards 
turning to -purple, and remain conspicuous and beautiful 
into winter; while in autumn the leaves begin early to 
turn, and become of a red color, with various shades of 
yellow, orange, and purple. The ends of the branches, 
from their irregularity, and the abundant down with which 
they are covered, resemble the young horns of the stag, 
whence the popular name. 
R. copallina.—The Dwarf, or Mountain Sumach, — is 
another beautiful species, “found growing on dry rocks, 
or sandy hills, about the same height of the last, in favor- 
able, protected situations, but usually about three to five 
feet. The varnished polish of the leaves, and the rich 
purple they assume in autumn, as well as the scarlet of 
the leafy heads of fruit, make this species one of the most 
beautiful of the genus.” 
R. glabra.—The Smooth Sumach.—This is a handsome, 
spreading, leafy bush, usually four to six, rarely ten, feet 
high. The leaves are compound, smooth, of a rich green. 
The flowers are disposed in a large green head, of yel- 
lowish-green color, and agreeable fragrance. The velvety 
crimson heads of berries on this plant, as on the others, 
are acid and astringent. The leaves are used in tanning. 
R. Cotinus.—Venetian Sumach or Smoke Tree.—This 
species is much cultivated as an ornamental shrub. It is 
a crooked, straggling growing plant, from ten to fifteen 
feet high. No attempt should be made to make it grow 
straight by pruning, as it looks the best when left to itself, 
clothed with branches to the ground. Persons, ignorant 
of the habits of the shrub, often complain of nurserymen, 
because they do not give them regular-shaped plants; but 
this is impossible, and it is not desirable, 
