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MOUNTAIN LAUREL, 
OR 
DWARF ROSE BAY. 
Decandria monogynia. Linn. Rosaceæ. Juss. 
Rhododendrüm maximum. R. arbor escens ; foliis subcuneato-oblongis, abruptè- 
acuminatis , crassis, coriaceis, glabris ; calicibus laciniis, ovalibus, obtusis ; 
corolla subcampanulatà. 
The Mountain Laurel generally presents itself in the form of a shrub, of 
less than 10 feet in height ; but as it sometimes rises to the height of 20 or 
25 feet, -with a diameter of 4 or 5 inches, its diffusion throughout a large 
part of the United States, and the remarkable beauty of its flowers, have 
induced me to describe it. 
The west end of Long Island, and the river Hudson below the High- 
lands, may be considered as the limit, far beyond which the Mountain 
Laurel ceases to be found in the forests. It is abundant, on the contrary, 
in the Middle States, and in the upper parts, particularly in the mountain- 
ous tracts of the Southern Section. It is almost exclusively seen on the 
borders of creeks and rivers, and is observed to be more multiplied in 
approaching the Alleghanies, till, in the midst of these ranges, especially 
in Virginia, it becomes so abundant on the sides of the torrents, as to form 
impenetrable thickets, in which the bear finds a secure retreat from the 
pursuit of the dogs and of the hunters. 
Deeply shaded situations, in the vicinity of cool and crystal waters flow- 
ing among rocks, where the atmosphere is laden with vapor, are the most 
congenial to the Mountain Laurel and Kalmia. Shade and humidity seem 
to be indispensable, for it flourishes among the White Cedars in the gloomy 
swamps of Lower Jersey, where the surface of the miry soil is carpeted 
with moss constantly surcharged with moisture. 
When fully expanded the leaves are- smooth, 5 or 6 inches long, of an 
elongated oval form, and of a thick, coriaceous texture. They are ever- 
greèn, and are partially renewed once in three or four years. 
The flowers are commonly rose-coloured, with yellow dots on the inside, 
and sometimes they are, perfectly white. They are always collected at the 
