( ) 



pofed of three lobes, fomewhat egg-fliaped and 

 joined to a common footftalk. The flowers are 

 male and female on different plants. 



To this Genus is alfo added^ 

 TOXICODENDRON. 



The P I S O N - T R E E. 



Of which we have^ 



I. Rhus-Toxicodendron Vernix. Varnijh-- 

 Tree^ or Poifon AJlo. 



This rifes with a pretty ftrong, ereft ftem, to the 

 height of twelve or fourteen feet ; dividing towards 

 the top into feveral branches. The leaves are wing- 

 ed, and compofed of three or four pair of lobes, 

 terminated by an odd one ; which are for the mod 

 part oval, fpear-fliaped, hnooth, and of a lucid green 

 on their upper fide, but paler and a little hairy un- 

 derneath; their footftalks changing of a purple co- 

 lour in autumn* The male and female flowers are 

 produced upon different trees, and are difpofed in 

 loofe panicles, coming out from the bofom of the 

 leaves ; of an herbaceous colour. The female are 

 fucceeded by fmall, roundifli feeds, of a lightifli co- 

 lour v/hen ripe. This is allowed to be the fame 

 with the true Varnilh-tree of japan; where it is col- 

 lefted in great quantities, by making incifions in the 

 trees and placing veflels underneath to receive the 

 milky juice, which hardens and becomes the true 

 varniih; much ufed in various kinds of curious 

 workmanfhip. This, in all probability, might be 

 collected here equal in quality with that of Japan 

 and to confiderable advantage. This tree ought to 



be 



