284 Ericacea? Rhododendron . 



inches deep, with a spreading limb resembling those of Lilium 

 cdndidum. To this list might be added many more from the 

 same region ; but we content ourselves with naming one more, 

 the Rh. Blandfordiaflorum, remarkable for its tubular pen- 

 dulous cinnabar and orange flowers. We must not forget to 

 mention that several hardy Japanese species have recently been 

 introduced : Rh. Fortunei and Rh. Metternlchii, with oblong 

 or obovate coriaceous leaves rusty-tomentose beneath, and 

 corymbose heads of campanulate rose-coloured flowers. 



Notwithstanding the great diversity and beauty of the wild 

 forms of this genus, many horticulturists notably in England 

 have crossed them, and thus obtained many new and distinct 

 varieties, usually termed hybrids. For detailed descriptions of 

 these we must refer our readers to the nursery catalogues of 

 the principal growers. 



Rhodothdmnus Chamcecistus is a handsome alpine shrub 

 from Switzerland, having oval serrate ciliate leaves and solitary 

 rosy flowers. It is separated from Rhododendron on account 

 of its rotate corolla and spreading stamens. 



Rhodora Canadensis, syn. Rhododendron Rhodora, is a de- 

 ciduous shrub often seen in gardens, with purple sweet-scented 

 flowers appearing before the leaves in Spring. 



8. AZALEA. 



Deciduous or evergreen shrubs. Leaves membranous, often 

 ciliate and hairy, mucronate. Flowers large and showy, often 

 glandular and clammy, expanding before the new leaves are 

 fully developed. Corolla funnel-shaped. Stamens exserted, 

 usually 5, filaments long. Botanists now unite this with 

 Rhododendron in consequence of the discovery of species 

 intermediate in character ; but it will be more convenient to 

 keep the hardy species separate in this work, because they are 

 so universally known under these distinctive names. The 

 species referred here are not so numerous, but the genus has 

 much the same range. The name is from da\eos, parched, 

 in allusion to the natural habitats of some species. 



Leaves Deciduous. 



1. A. Pontica. This species is a native of Asia Minor, and 

 ordinarily grows from 3 to 6 feet high, with lanceolate soft 

 hairy leaves and yellow or orange flowers sometimes tinged 

 with red. 



