Dumosa.

RHUS GLABRUM.

UPLAND SUMACH.

Class V. PENTANDRIA. Order III. TRIGYNIA.

Gen. Char. Calyx, five-parted. Corolla-petals, five. Berry, one seeded.

Spe. Char. Leaves, pinnate, quite entire. Petioles, membranaceous, jointed.

This specimen of Sumach is a small tree usually rising from six to twelve feet in height; the stem is divided into many straggling branches, which are bent and covered with a smooth light grey, or somewhat reddish bark; the leaves are pinnated, alternate, and consist of several pair of pinnæ, which are ovate-lance-shaped, obtusely serrated, smooth above, hairy beneath, and stand upon short footstalks; the flowers are numerous, small, white, and placed in large branched spikes; the calyx is five-toothed, erect, persistent, and placed below the germen; the corolla consists of five petals, which are ovate, white, and mostly erect; the filaments are five, and very short; the anthers are small; the germen is roundish, and about the length of the corolla; the style is scarcely visible; the stigmas are three, and somewhat cordate; the fruit is a roundish one-celled red berry, and contains one solitary round hard seed. It produces its flowers in June and July.

This species of Sumach is found in almost all parts of the United States, growing in old neglected fields, along fences, and on the borders of woods. It is described by various authors as being a native of the South of Europe, where it was considerably culti

vated in their extensive gardens previous to the year 1648, but is still a scarce plant in that country.

The genus to which this species belongs, comprehends several species which are known to be extremely poisonous, especially the Toxicodendron, Radicans, and Vernix; but the Glabrum is perfectly innocent, and its berries are in most countries used for culinary purposes.

Its medicinal qualities are chiefly to be ascribed to its stypticity or astringency; a property which it possesses in a sufficient degree to render it useful in dyeing, and also in tanning of leather, for which it was used in the time of Dioscorides.

The berries, which are red and of a round compressed figure, contain a pulpy matter, in which is lodged a brown hard oval seed, manifesting a considerable degree of astringency. The pulp, even when dry, is gratefully acid, and has been discovered to contain an essential salt, similar to that of wood-sorrel, or perhaps more nearly allied to chrystals of tartar.

Medical Properties and Uses. The berries of the Sumach are astringent and refrigerant: a tincture or an infusion from them is highly useful in febrile complaints, and forms a pleasant gargle for inflammation and ulceration of the throat. It is also recommended as a specific for the sore mouth attending inordinate mercurial salivation.

Both the leaves and berries are diuretic, but the latter is the most efficient. They may be used in connection with other medicines, for all the purposes of an an astringent." The bark of the root, says Dr. Smith, is considered a valuable antiseptic: in the form of a poultice for old ulcers, it is scarcely equalled by any other remedy. Taken internally, it operates like a purgative. The excrescences which form upon the leaves of this shrub, are nearly equal in astringency to galls; and, if finely powdered, and made into ointment with fresh lard, afferd a soothing application for piles.