36 
NATURE STUDY. 
very long ago the answer would have been that the Creator 
made the caterpillar so in order that it might escape from its 
enemies and additional strength would thus be given to the 
famous argument from design. Now, however, we simply cite 
it as another instance of the strange results of the centuries of 
struggle for existence through which the species has passed. 
In so doing we by no means deny that the Creator made the 
insect as we see it, bat we simply say that the method of its 
perfection has been through the action of the laws of natural 
selection. For the mystery of life is as inscrutable as ever ; we 
are merely learning step by step a little about the ways in which 
it manifests itself. 
The Poisonous Sumacs. 
BY WILLIAM H. HUSE. 
The common name of our most poisonous shrub is a good 
illustration of the confusion of English plant names. We have 
seven species of dogwood, varying in size from the low cornel 
or bunch-plum to the flowering dogwood, which attains the 
height of a small tree, all of which are perfectly harmless ; but 
when “ dogwood ” is mentioned many understand it to mean 
poisonous sumac. The number of people who thus misunder¬ 
stand the name is almost equalled by those who do not know 
the shrub when they see it. 
There are five kinds of sumac common in New Hampshire, 
three of which are harmless and two poisonous to the touch. 
The staghorn sumac, Rhus typhina, is our largest species, grow¬ 
ing to the height of forty feet under favorable conditions. It is 
more often low and shrubby. Its pinnate leaves and pubescent 
twigs make it a handsome tree from June to October while in 
the fall its bright red berries in showy bunches make it espe¬ 
cially attractive and conspicuous. The smooth or shiny sumac, 
Rhus glabra, resembles the first. The twigs, however, are 
