122 COMMERCIAL BOTANY. 



The stems and leaves are described as being acid, like 

 rhubarb, and are used in a similar way in California and 

 Utah under the name of Wild Pie plant. In Texas the 

 roots are used for tanning. The plant has recently been 

 determined as Rumex hymenosepalum, belonging to the 

 natural order Polygonaceae, and from aj analysis made so 

 recently as March of the present year (1890), it would 

 seem " that these roots will be a valuable addition to our 

 list of tanning products." This interesting substance is 

 fully detailed in the Kew BuUetin for April, 1890. 



