218 
RHODODENDRON GIBSONII. 
seen in the young lateral shoots exhibited in the figure, where the form, disposition, 
and hairiness of the leaves very much resemble the same features in most of the 
Indian Azaleas. The flowers, nevertiieless, are decidedly those of a Rhododendron, 
and for their size, delicacy of tint, and the fine yellow spotting in the upper portion 
are almost without a rival. 
Mr. Gibson discovered it on the side of the mountain, growing in thickets. 
The B. arhoreum was also abundant in the same locality. Our subject there 
assumes the character of an under- shrub, and does not grow so erectly as it has 
done under cultivation in this country. The natural soil in which it flourishes is 
composed principally of loose granite and sandy loam, and is generally much 
interspersed with masses of rock. 
In England it thrives well in the soil ordinarily used for greenhouse Rhodo- 
dendrons, which consists, for the most part, of loose sandy loam, with the addition 
of about a third or a fourth of fibrous heath-mould. The roots of Rhododendrons 
will not endure too great an exposure to solar light and heat in the summer, and 
hence, if they are not in some degree shaded, the plants should be kept in a house 
whose aspect or mode of construction affords them a slight protection from the sun's 
rays. They require a very large supply of water in hot weather, particularly 
while flowering. Cuttings taken from the young or half-ripened wood of this 
species root freely in sandy soil ; and it may doubtless be propagated by grafting 
on the common sorts. 
Rhododendron is taken from Hhodon^ a rose, and dendron^ a tree, in reference to 
the large clusters of rosy flowers which many of the species bear. 
