OUR NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS. 211 
less this genus will eventually be taken up by the nursery- 
men, as have the different species of Rubus. 
The Leather Leaf ( Cassandra calyculata), and Andromeda 
polifolia, are both worthy of attention. White Alder ( Ole- 
thra alnifolia) is already somewhat known, and is covered in 
August with handsome blossoms so fragrant that a clump 
may be detected at many rods distance. 
Mountain Laurel, Calico-bush, Spoon-wood (Kalmia lati- 
Jolia), is one of the most beautiful shrubs ever created, as 
seen in profusion in its varying shades, in parts of Massachu- 
setts, but very seldom in cultivation. Kalmia glauca, or 
Pale Laurel, is less showy, but of great beauty. The Azaleas 
(A. viscosa and nudiflora) are very common, very beautiful 
and fragrant, but very seldom cultivated. 
The Grek Laurel (Rhododendr ‘on maximum), though mag- 
nificent in its native thickets, cannot probably compete with 
the foreign species, now so generally introduced, but Rhodora 
a anal: with its rose-purple blossoms, covering the leaf- 
less branches, is one of the pleasantest sights of early spring, 
and Labrador Tea (Ledum latifolium) with its delicate white 
clusters and leaves rusty-woolly beneath, is likewise full of 
beauty. 
The Fandi (Chionanthus Virginica) with its delicate 
white drooping panicles, ought to be seen much more fre- 
quently than it is. 
Sassafras officicinale with its curiously lobed leaves, yellow 
racemes of flowers, and spicy aroma; Leather-wood (Dirca 
palustris), also called Wicopy, with pale yellowish flowers is 
a curious shrub, its wood soft and brittle, its bark so tough 
that it can be used for thongs, requiring a strong man to 
break even its .slenderest twigs. 
From this list have bu omitted very many trees and 
shrubs in common cultivation. The object has been to call 
attention to those less generally known. Many of these 
have their natural station in swampy ground; many resist 
attempts at transplanting. But a little care in choosing from 
AMER. NATURALIST, VOL. IV. 28 
