the leaves are broad, and spreading all round the plant ; in winter rolled up, shrivelled, and pendulous from the tips of the 
branches. It is alike found at the bottom of the valleys, on the rocky spurs or slopes and ridges of the hills, in open places, 
or in the gloomy Pine-groves, often forming an impenetrable scrub, through which the explorer in vain seeks to force his 
way. Nor is this a thicket merely of twigs and foliage, that will fall under the knife or cutlass, but of thickset limbs and 
stout trunks, only to be severed with difficulty, on account of the toughness and unyielding nature of the wood. 
The scentless blossoms expand late in April, and in May and June, but are not very copiously produced in comparison 
with the majority of its congeners. 
Of the wood, cups, spoons, and ladles are made by the Bhoteas, and universally the little “Yak” saddle, by means of 
which*the pack-loads are slung on the back of that animal. Easily worked, and not apt to split, it is admirably adapted 
for use in the parched and arid climate of Thibet. Nor is the foliage without its allotted use. ‘The leaves are employed as 
platters, and serve for lining baskets for conveying the mashed pulp of Arisema root (a kind of Colocass); and the 
accustomed present of butter or curd is always made enclosed in this glossy foliage. 
Such are the characteristics of this Rhododendron, which I desire to dedicate to my excellent friend and generous 
host, B. H. Hodgson, Esq., of Darjeeling, formerly the Hon. East India Company’s Resident at the Court of Nepal ; 
a gentleman whose researches in the physical geography, the natural history, especially the zoology, the ethnology, 
the literature of the people, &c. &e., of Eastern Himalaya, are beyond all praise. 
Tas. XV. Rhododendron Hodgsoni. Fig. 1. Flower :—natural size. 2. Stamen. 3. Pistil. 4. Section of ovary :—magnified. 5. Capsule :— 
natural size. 6. Sced with its aril. 7. Sced deprived of its aril. 8. Vertical section of a seed :—magnified. 
