ELEMENTARY BOTANY 



109 



dilute alcohol (alcohol one-fourth to one-half water, with 



as much sugar of lead as will dissolve cold). This will 



quickly neutralize the poison and prevent further injury. 



Clothes, towels, even the handles of tools that have been 



used by those engaged in destroying poison ivy, must be 



thoroughly washed in strong 



hot soapsuds, or in the lead 



acetate solution, before 



being allowed to come in 



contact with any one else. 



The sugar of lead solution 



is itself poisonous, if taken 



internally. 



We cannot, of course, ask 

 children to bring in speci- 

 mens of such a plant, and 

 none of it should be allowed 

 exposed about the school- 

 room. It may generally be 

 pointed out in the first excur- 

 sion with the children, or 

 the teacher may take proper 

 precautions and press speci- 

 mens of leaves, stems, 

 flowers, and fruit and mount them between two plates of 

 glass, as described for insects. This also applies to the 

 other plants that are poisonous to the touch. 



Poison Sumac, Rhus vernix. — [Swamp sumac, dogwood 

 (Mass.), poison elder (Ala.), poison ash (Vt.), thunderwood 

 (Ga., Va.).] This is a treelike shrub six to thirty feet tall, 

 with slender pinnate leaves of seven to thirteen leaflets, 



Fig. 45. Poison Sumac with Fruit 



