SHUMAC or Sumach.
Tum-tum, . . ARAB. SompartCO3 . . IT.
Shi-chu-yu, . . . CHIN. Sumakh, . . . PERS.
Smak, DUT Sumagre, . . . Pour.
Sumac roure, Roux, FR. Sumak, . . Rus., Sw. Schmack, Sumach, GER. Zumaque, . . . . SP.
The true shumac or sumach, sometimes called young fustic, is the powder of the leaves, pedun cles, and young branches of Rhus coriaria a small deciduous plant, native of the south of 'Europe, but which is also -grown in Syria and Palestine for its powerful astringent properties, which render it valuable for tanning light-coloured leather and it imparts a beautiful bright yellow dye to cotIons, which is rendered permanent by proper mordants. It is principally imported into England from the Ionian Islands and the Morea.
Rhus coriaria, hide or elm - leaved sumach, Tumtum, ARAB., Shill:Calk, PERS., a native of Persia, Syria, Palestine, and the south of Europe, about 8 or 10 feet high, divided into numerous irregular branches. It is extensively used for the
purpose of tanning. The fruit is acid and astrin gent, and the seeds are often used as a tonic for exciting the appetite.
Rhus cotinus, Venus-sumach, or wild olive, is a very ornamental shrub, growing wild in the south of Europe, and is used for tanning in Italy. The wood is used by the modern Greeks for dyeing wool, which is said to be of a beautiful rich yellow.
Rhus glabra, smooth -leaved sumach, and another named R. viridifolia, are considered by some botanists as varieties of R. typhina. This species is abundant in North America. Its fruit is very sour. Bees are very fond of the blossoms.
Rhus typhina, fever-rhus or stag's-horn sumach, is found in every part of' North America. The fruit is exceedingly sour, and is even used in some parts as a substitute for vinegar.—.2IrCul loch ; Simmonds ; Hogg ; Poole • O'Sh.