VEGETABLES. 291 



The bark of the root was used as a substitute for 

 the Peruvian bark in intermittent fevers in South 

 Carolina, by Dr. Lining. 



The ikf. trifietala^ umbrella tree. M, auriculata^ 

 supposed to be a variety of in, frazeri, M. pyramid 

 dala^ and m. excelsior. They all flourish in the 

 open ground in Pennsylvania, and deserve to be 

 cultivated for their beauty, and the fragrance of 

 their flowers. 



Rhm glabrum^ smooth Pennsylvania sumach, 

 common or upland sumach, grows abundantly in the 

 United States, rising to the height of eight or ten 

 feet. The leaves are feathered, sawed, lanced, and 

 naked on both sides, and change to a beautifui red 

 in autumn. From Dr. Horsefieid's accurate expe- 

 riments, it appears that the leaves are more valua- 

 ble as a black dye, than the berries (though the lat- 

 ter are commonly used), and a valuable substitute 

 for nut galls^ either in dying, or in making ink. 



The preparers of Morocco in Philadelphia prefer 

 this species to the imported sumach, and remark, 

 that its strength increases by cutting. 



Rhus toxicodendron^ or poison oak, has a low 

 shrubby stalk. The berries are yellow when ripe. 

 Horses eat the leaves with impunity* 



Dr. Alderson of Hull, and Du Fresnoy, highly 

 recommend from one to four grains of this species, 

 three or four times a day, in paralytic affections. 



i?. vernix^ varnish tree, poison oak, swamp su- 

 mach, or white sumach, is the largest of our native 

 species of rhus; grows in swamps, and makes a fine 

 appearance. Dr. Horsefield is convinced, with 

 Thunberg and others, tliat this is the true varnish 



