WHITE 



sionally farther inland. The close family resemblance to the pink 

 azalea (PI. LXV) will be at once detected. On the branches 

 of both species will be found those abnormal, fleshy growths, 

 called variously " swamp apples" and "May apples," which 

 are so relished by the children. Formerly these growths were 

 attributed to the sting of an insect, as in the "oak apple; " 

 now they are generally believed to be modified buds. 



AMERICAN RHODODENDRON. GREAT LAUREL. 



Rhododendron maximum. Heath Family. 



A shrub from six to thirty-five feet high. Leaves. Thick and leathery, 

 oblong, entire. Flowers. White or pink, clustered. Calyx. Minute, 

 five-toothed. Corolla. Somewhat bell-shaped, five-parted, greenish in the 

 throat, with red, yellow, or green spots. Stamens. Usually ten. Pistil. 

 One. 



This beautiful native shrub is one of the glories of our coun- 

 try when in the perfection of its loveliness. The woods which 

 nearly cover many of the mountains of our Eastern States hide 

 from all but the bold explorer a radiant display during the early 

 part of July. Then the lovely waxy flower -clusters of the Ameri- 

 can rhododendron are in their fulness of beauty. As in the 

 laurel, the clammy flower-stalks seem fitted to protect the blos- 

 som from the depredations of small and useless insects, while the 

 markings on the corolla attract the attention of the desirable bee. 



In those parts of the country where it flourishes most luxuri- 

 antly, veritable rhododendron jungles termed ' f hells ' ' by the 

 mountaineers are formed. The branches reach out and interlace 

 in such a fashion as to be almost impassable. 



The nectar secreted by the blossoms is popularly supposed to 

 be poisonous. We read in Xenophon that during the retreat 

 of the Ten Thousand, the soldiers found a quantity of honey of 

 which they freely partook, with results that proved almost fatal. 

 This honey is said to have been made from a rhododendron 

 which is still common in Asia Minor and which is believed to 

 possess intoxicating and poisonous properties. 



Comparatively little attention had been paid to this superb 

 flower until the Centennial Celebration at Philadelphia, when 



60 



