510 BOTANY. 



Epigma repens, the Mayflower or Trailing Arbutus, is a low trailing 

 plant with a woody stem, found chiefly in New England and adjacent 

 regions. Its rose-colored fragrant flowers, which appear in early 

 spring, are much sought for. 



Erica. This large genus, including 400 or more species, is distrib- 

 uted in Europe, Northern Asia, and Northern and Southern Africa, 

 reaching its maximum in the latter region. None are found in 

 America. Many species are grown in conservatories. 



Oaultheria procwnbens, Wintergreen or Checkerberry, has aromatic 

 fruit and foliage. From the latter an ofiicinal oil is distilled. 



Kalmia. A genus of beautiful plants with curious flowers ; each 

 stamen when the flower opens is bent backward, and its anther is 

 hidden in a sac in the corolla ; somewhat later the anthers escape from 

 the sacs and the pollen is ejected. This mechanism has probably to 

 do with the process of cross-fertilization through the agency of insects. 

 Some of our native species are reputed to be poisonous to domestic 

 animals, e.g., K. angvMifolia, the Sheep Laurel or Lambkill. 



Rhododendron. This genus is now made to include the Azaleas as- 

 well as the true Rhododendrons. Some species become larye trees (ij. 

 arboreum of the Himalayas), while many are highly prized as orna- 

 mental shrubs. The Great Laurel (R. maximum), a shrub or small tree, 

 with large evergreen leathery leaves, grows in the Alleghany Moun- 

 tains. R. Gatawbiense and its hybrids with R. arhoreum are extensive- 

 ly planted for ornaments. R. Indica is the Azalea of the florists ; it 

 has many varieties. 



Sub- Order Epacridem. — About 330 species of shrubs or small 

 trees, often with a Heath-like appearance ; natives of Australia and 

 many of the Pacific islands ; only one species is found in South Amer- 

 ica. Many species are grown in conservatories, e.g., Mpacris, Leucopo- 

 gon, Braeophyllum, etc. 



Sub-Order PyroHnece. — Perennial herbs, about twenty species, 

 all of the North Temperate Zone. They are of but little account 

 economically or otherwise. Ohimaphila maculata, Pipsissewa or 

 Prince's Pine, was used by the Indians as » medicine. The dried 

 leaves constitute the ofiicinal drug Chimaphila. 



The anomalous genus Clethra, including twenty-five species of shrubs 

 and trees (American and Asiatic) is sometimes placed in this sub-order 

 on account of its choripetaloua corolla ; it appears, however, to prop- 

 erly fall into the Ericinese, in either the tribe Andromedese or Rho- 

 dorese. 



Sub-Order Monotropece. — Small herbs, parasitic or sapro- 

 phytic, destitute of chlorophyll ; their leaves are reduced to mere 

 bracts, and their fiowers and seeds show still further degradation. Tea 

 or twelve species are known, distributed throughout the temperata 

 parts of the Northern Hemisphere'. 



