CHINESE RHODODENDRONS 15 
The low-level species, such as R, indicum and R, 
sinense, are abundant on scrub-clad hills and, whilst the 
former extends from the east to the west of the country, 
the latter scarcely occurs west of long. 112°. In Central 
and Western China, with the exception of the above two 
species and R. Mariesii, no Rhododendron occurs below 
4000 feet. Above this altitude they occur in woods and 
forests in increasing numbers, reaching their optimum at 
about 11,000 feet. In the regions traversed by me, 15,500 
feet was the altitudinal limit of the genus. Farther west, 
however, it is somewhat higher. Rhododendrons are gre- 
garious plants, nearly every species having a well-defined 
habitat. In size they vary from alpine plants only a few 
inches high, to trees 40 feet high. In colour they range 
from pure white, through clear yellow, to rich shades of 
scarlet and crimson. At low levels, miles of the hill- 
sides often are ablaze with the scarlet R, indicum. Up 
to 9000 feet the Rhododendrons occur in constantly in- 
creasing numbers, in company with mixed dicotyledonous 
trees and shrubs and conifers. Above 9000 feet they form 
the predominant shrubby vegetation, either as under- 
growth in the conifer forests or above the tree limit, where 
they form impenetrable thickets. In late May and June 
these areas present a scene of indescribable beauty." 
Some of the Chinese Rhododendrons are wild also in 
Japan. One of the best is R, Fortunei, which has large, 
white, fragrant flowers, with six or seven segments. It was 
introduced by Fortune in 1859, has proved to be quite 
hardy in the warmer parts of the British Islands. R, in- 
dicum (Azalea indica) is a native of China and Japan, and 
in a wild state it has either persistent or deciduous leaves 
and small, reddish flowers. Like certain other plants of 
