466 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



of this country, but is not sufficiently hardy to stand the 

 open air. 



Sumach (Rhus coriarid). A small shrub or tree, with 

 pinnate leaves, abundant in all countries bordering the Medi- 

 terranean. It yields the article called " sumach," which is 

 used for tanning, and consists of the young shoots and leaves 

 ground down ; it comes to this country chiefly from Sicily, 

 where it is extensively cultivated. Another South European 

 species is Rhus cotinus. 



Poison oak {Rhus Toxicodendron and R. radicans). Trail- 

 ing, vine-like shrubs, with broad trifoliate leaves, natives of 

 North America, and long known in the botanic gardens of 

 this country. The leaves are highly poisonous, serious con- 

 sequences having resulted from merely handling them ; 

 but actual contact is not necessary, as they give off their 

 baneful influences to the air, especially on hot days, causing 

 headache and even sickness, R. venenata, also a native of 

 North America, having winged leaves, is likewise very 

 poisonous. 



Schimis molle. A Peruvian shrub, with light green 

 winged leaves, and called Peruvian Mastic tree. The leaves 

 contain a great quantity of odoriferous oil, and on breaking 

 and throwing fragments of them into water, the oil is ex- 

 pelled with such force as to cause them to jerk and twirl 

 as if by spontaneous motion. In Italy it forms a pretty bush, 

 but is not sufficiently hardy for the open air in this country. 



LithrcBa caustica. A stifE -branched shrub, with small oval 

 leaves of a brownish colour, native of Chili ; it is dreaded by 

 the natives for its baneful effects in blistering the skin. 



The Zebra- wood Family. 



(CONNARACE^.) 



Trees or shrubs, rarely climbers. Leaves alternate, winged. 

 Flowers in panicles "or racemes with bracts. Fruit a capsule- 

 like follicle, opening lengthways. 



This family consists of about 50 known species, natives of 



