CHiP. VII.] 



RHODORE^. 



121 



Rhododendron, Azalea, and Rhodora (the 

 last two being by some botanists included 

 in Rhododendron); Kalmia, Menziesia, and 

 Ledum. 



The species of the genus Rhododendron are 

 easily distinguished by their flower buds, which 

 are disposed in the form of a strobile, or pine- 

 cone, each bud having its accompanying bract, 

 which the flower retains after its expansion, as 

 shown '\xijig. o7 at a, in a flower of R. maximum. 



Fig. 57.— Back view of a Flower of Rhododendron Maximum, 

 AND Seed-pod. 



There are five or ten stamens of unequal length, 

 the larger ones curling upwards (as shown at b 

 in Jig, 58), as does the style (c), which has a 

 simple stigma. The flowers have a very small 



