301 KAL.MIA LATIFOI.IA. 



and of more luxuriant vegetation, than in Nortli Carolina, on the loftiest parts of 

 the Alleghanios. It there occupies large tracts, and forms thickets upon tiieir 

 summits, and for a tinrd of the distance down their sidt^s, which are rendered 

 almost impenetrahle by the crooked and unyielding trunks, crossed and locked 

 with each other. As the shrubs which compose these copses are nearly of the 

 same height, and richly ladt^i with evergreen foliage, they present, at a distance, 

 iht^ appearance of verdant meadows, surrounded by tall trees. 



This species was introduced into Britain in 1731, by Peter Collinson, who pro- 

 cured it from Pemisylvania, and planted it in Catesby's garden, at Fulham, where 

 it Howered for the first time in I'higland, in 1711. It was introduced into France, 

 by the elder Michaux, in about the year 1790, and is to be found in many of the 

 European collections. 



Soil, Situation, ^'c. The Kalmia latifolia, in its natural habitat, usually occurs 

 on the sides of stony hills, near water, where the soil is sterile; but when culti- 

 vated, it nourishes best in a soft, loose, and cool soil, with a northern exj)osure. 

 For propagation and culture, the reader is referred to our article on the Rhodo- 

 dendron maximum. 



Properties and Uses. The wood of the Kalmia latifolia, particularly that of 

 the roots, is very compact, fine-grained, and marked with red lines. When 

 green, it is of a soft texture, and is easily wrought; but, when well seasoned, it 

 is very hard, and more nearly resembles the European box, (Buxns semper- 

 virens,) than any other American wood. Consequently it is worthy of the atten- 

 tion of mathematical instrument-makers, and of engravers on wood. It is 

 sometimes employed in the United States for the handles of light tools, for screws, 

 boxes, &c. ; and it is said, also, to make good clarionets. It is used by the 

 American Indians for making small dishes, spoons, and other domestic utensils. 

 The whole plant is regarded as poisonous to young cattle, and sheep, but not to 

 goats and deer. A decoction of the leaves of this tree was formerly taken by those 

 miserable natives who had determined on self-destruction. But modern enter- 

 prise has successfully enlisted it in the service of medicine, and it is applied, in a 

 pulverized form, internally, in fevers, or topically, for the relief of cutaneous 

 affections. A few drops of the tincture poured upon the body of a large and vig- 

 orous rattlesnake, killed the reptile in a short time. The powder which covers 

 the leaves is popularly employed in some parts of the country where it grows, 

 for snuff. The honey collected from the flowers by bees, is accounted deleteri- 

 ous, which, with other noxious qualities of this elegant shrub, lessens that esteem 

 which its beauty claims. 



