MOUNTAIN LAUREL. 437 
The Kalmia latifolia, together with some oth- 
er species of its genus, has long had the reputa- 
tion, in various parts of the country, of being poi- 
sonous to certain domestic animals. Catesby says 
of it, that “deer feed on its green leaves with im- 
punity ; yet when cattle and sheep, by severe win- 
ters deprived of better food, feed on the leaves of 
this plant, a great many of them die annually.” 
: Kalm, the Swedish traveller, who gave name 
to this genus, says of Kalmia latifolia, “ The leaves 
are poison to some animals, and food for others ; 
experience has taught the people, that when sheep 
eat of these leaves, they either die immediately, 
or fall very sick, and recoyer with great difficulty. 
The young and more tender sheep are killed by a 
small portion, but the older ones can bear a stron- 
ger dose. Yet this food will likewise prove mor- 
tal to them, if they take too much of it. The 
same noxious effect it shews in regard to calyes 
which eat too much of the leaves; they either die, 
or do not recover easily. I can remember that in 
the year 1748 some calves ate of the leaves ; they 
fell very. sick, swelled, foamed at the mouth and 
could hardly stand ; however, they were cured by. 
giving them gunpowder and other medicines. The 
sheep are most exposed to be tempted with these 
leaves in winter, for after haying been kept im sta- 
