378 THE HEATH FAMILY. 



obovate, oval or oblanceolate, pointed at the apex and rounded or tapering into 

 short pubescent petioles at the base; entire; ciliate ; almost glabrous above and 

 pubescent underneath. A shrub four to fifteen inches high with greyish twigs. 



Through- the mountain fastnesses— for it is on the high places of its range 

 that the flame azalea grows to perfection — and where it sometimes covers 

 solid acres with its wonderful bloom, even the natives notice and are some- 

 what awed by its loveliness. No greater tribute to its beauty could it have 

 than this, for these people are impassive, very shy and reticent. Usually 

 when asked about the azalea's spring bloom they simply answer laconically, 

 "Pretty enough." 



Bartram in his " Travels " calls this one the " fiery azalea " and in speak- 

 ing of its varied hues says : " This epithet Fiery I annex to this most 

 celebrated species of 2uL2\^?i as being expressive of the appearance of its 

 flowers, which are in general of the colour of the finest red lead, orange and 

 bright gold, as well as yellow and cream colour. These various splendid 

 colours are not only on separate plants, but frequently all the varieties and 

 shades are seen in separate branches on the same plant, and the clusters of 

 blossoms cover the shrubs in such incredible profusion on the hillsides, that 

 suddenly opening to view from dark shades, we are alarmed with the ap- 

 prehension of the woods being set on fire. This is certainly the most gay 

 and brilliant flowering shrub yet known." 



Even more beautiful than the rhododendrons are often the azaleas 

 through our range, but it is not every season that they are seen in their full- 

 ness of bloom. Mostly on alternate years they attain to the very height of 

 their beauty. Then it is that the mountaineers notice them and dread the 

 coming on of storms that might do them harm. 



A. arborescensy smooth, or tree azalea, grows in a tree-like way to some- 

 times the height of twenty feet. Its obovate, or oblanceolate leaves are 

 lustrous, smooth on both sides and in the season its crown is covered with 

 innumerable exquisite white and pink blossoms which fill the air with a de- 

 lightful spicy fragrance. It is then one of the fairest, most lovely spirits 

 of the woodlands. In North Carolina and along the foothills of the 

 Alleghanies it grows often in much profusion. It is found as far north- 

 ward as Pennsylvania. 



A. vicbsa, swamp honeysuckle, white azalea often a low and much 

 branched shrub, or again becoming as tall as ten feet, unfolds as it grows 

 through swamps its white and fragrant bloom after the leaves are well 

 spread, usually in early June. Again it is called clammy azalea, the tube of 

 its flowers being so very viscid. 



A. nudiflbra, pinkster-flower, wild honeysuckle or pink azalea, which 

 mostly is branched near its summit, grows on the contrary through woods 



