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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
A.G.B 
DIVISION OF BOTANY, 
Washington, D. C. 
January SO, 1899 
Mr. J. Franklin Collins 
126 East Avenue 
Providence, Rhode Island 
My Dear Sir:— 
I am much obliged to you for your interesting note of 
January 15, concerning the use of the name markry for Rhus radicans in 
the Kennebec valley Maine*. 
I am somewhat at a loss to explain the derivation of the word. 
Are you of the opinion that it is a corruption of the word mercury, 
and that it is given to the plant because of the trailing habit, which 
it often assumes? 
Respectfully 
Assistant 
