.V NAT. ORDER. — BICORNES. 45 



buds are formed for the next years' flowers, at the extremity of tlie 

 branches ; these buds swell during the autumn and spring months, till 

 the beginning- of June, when the flowers burst forth from their empale- 

 ments, forming a roinid bunch, or corymbus, sitting very close to the 

 branch ; they are of a pale blush color, but the out side of the petal a 

 peach color. In its native soil it continues flowering the greatest part 

 of the summer, and is highly ornamental. 



Kalniia (named by Linnseus in honor of Peter Kalm, professor at 

 Abo, in Sweden ; author of Travels in America, in the year 1753.) It 

 it a native of all the northern parts of the United States and Canada, 

 inhabiting boggy meadows, and the borders of mountains and lakes, 

 and damp, stony, rough places. 



Propagation and Culture. These plants are increased by seeds, 

 layers and suckers. The present one, however, is mostly raised from 

 seeds, which should be sown in pots or boxes of light sandy mould, 

 in the spring, placing them in an easterly border, or in beds of light 

 mould, in a similar situation. When placed on a gende hot-bed they 

 succeed better. They must, however, be inured to the full air in 

 summer, being sheltered during winter from frost. When the plants 

 have had two years' gi'owth, they must be removed into separate pots, 

 to be continued two or more years, when they may be planted out in 

 the open groimd in warm situations. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The poisonous qualities of this ele- 

 gant shmb have very much lessened its value, both as an ornament 

 and a medicine. Cattle, horses, sheep, and other domestic animals, 

 have been poisoned by eating freely of the green foliage of this plant. 

 As a medicine it is not recommended for use. It is said to possess 

 similar properties to those of the night-shade tribe. A strong infu- 

 sion, or a decoction from the leaves, or bark of the root, will materi- 

 ally alter the pulse, even given in the most minute doses ; it also 

 appears to possess considerable narcotic powers, producing insensi- 

 bility, languor, stupor and delirium. These effects have been pro- 

 duced by accidental use. 



