THE RHODODENDRON. 7 
absence of flowers, and of the fresh and vivid green 
of the younger growth. 
But in many plants, 
even in rigorous cli- 
mates, this period of 
rest is not attended 
by the falling of the 
foliage. The beauti- 
ful varieties of the 
Rhododendron, some 
of which inhabit the 
mountains of Pennsyl- 
vania, are examples, 
among many others, 
of evergreen shrubs. 
The greatest variety 
of these superb flower- 
ing plants grow on the 
woody slopes of the 
Himalaya Mountains, where they may be seen early 
in the spring loaded with their conspicuous heads of 
often gay-colored and fragrant blossoms. Occasion- 
ally large trees become quite embowered in them, as 
they sometimes fasten themselves to the trunks, and, 
leaving their hold upon the earth, creep to the very 
summits, where they grow in the manner of parasites, 
deriving their nourishment from the bark. 
The flowers of these plants vary much, both in 
size and color; some are very large, and appear two 
or three together; these are mostly white or cream- 
colored, resembling a lily; others are brilliant crim- 
Rhododendron. 
