402 RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM. 
Near the summits of mountains, on the banks of 
torrents and deep ravines, from which rivers take 
their rise, where the deep shade, moist soil and 
dashing water, preserve the atmosphere in a state 
of perpetual humidity ; these shrubs, in luxuriant 
size and vigour, are seen to cover tracts of -great: 
extent, at one season presenting an unbroken 
landscape of gorgeous flowers, and at another. 
with their evergreen foliage forming an impene- 
trable shelter for the wild animals of the forest. 
Of the Rhododendron maximum, Mr. Pursh 
has designated three varieties, © These are, 
4. The Red, which inhabits swamps «and the: 
borders of’ mountain lakes from Canada to» Caro- 
lina; 2. The White, found in the swamps of New 
Jersey and Delaware; 3.'The Purple, on the 
highest’ mountains of Virginia ‘and: Carolina. 
This last variety is represented’ as’ peculiarly 
magnificent, growing to the size of a small tree, 
having its trunk eighteen inches and more in’ 
diameter, — its _— Saag _— ‘size’ _— ~ 
other Spevias. 4)! Gadiva CHAP at it: 
- The first variety of this elegant | shih grows 
abundantly on the banks of Charles river, a dozen’ 
or fifteen miles from Boston. It’ even. supports 
the — as far north as the state of Maine, and 
wis obsery Eaton, growing plentifully 
