BROAD-LEAVED KALMIA, 
45 
by 'the severity of the winter. It abounds in New Jersey, and covers 
Weehock Hill, nearly opposite to the city of New York. It grows also 
near the Schuylkill, in the immediate neighborhood of Philadelphia. Pro- 
ceeding thence toward the south-west, it is found along the steep banks of 
all the rivers which rise in the Alleghany Mountains ; but it is observed to 
become less common in following these streams from their source, toward 
the Ohio and Mississippi on one side, and toward the Ocean on the other. 
It is rare in Kentucky and in West Tennessee, and in the Southern States 
it disappears entirely when the rivers enter the low country, where the pine 
barrens commence. 
Although this Kalinia abounds along the rivers of the Middle and 
Southern States, it is proportionally less common than upon the Alleghany 
Mountains, from Pennsylvania to the termination of the chain in Georgia. 
I have nowhere„seen it more profusely multiplied, nor of a greater height 
and more luxuriant vegetation, than in North Carolina, on the loftiest part 
of'the Alleghanies. It occupies tracts of more than 100 acres, and forms 
upon the summit, and for a third of the distance down the sides, thickets 
18 or 20 feet in height, which are rendered nearly impenetrable by the 
crooked and unyielding trunks, crossed and locked with each other. As 
the shrubs which compose these copses are of a uniform height, and richly 
laden with ever-green foliage, they present, at a distance, the appearance 
of verdant meadows, surrounded by tall trees. 
The leaves are of a coriaceous texture, oval-acuminate, entire, and about 
3 inches long. The flowers, which are destitute of odor, are disposed in 
corymbs at the extremity of the branches : in general they are of a beautiful 
rose color, and sometimes of a pure white. They are always numerous, 
and their brilliant effect is heightened by the richness of the surrounding 
foliage ; hence this shrub is in great request for the embellishment of gar- 
dens. The minute seeds are contained in small, globular capsules. 
On the declivities of the Alleghanies, in North Carolina, where I have 
observed the largest Kalmias, the trunk is generally 3 inches in diameter. 
The wood, particularly that of the roots, is compact, fine grained, and 
marked with red lines. When dry it is very hard, and it turns and polishes 
well. At Philadelphia it is selected for the handles of light tools, for small 
screws, boxes, etc. : it is said also to make good clarionets. Probably the 
Kalmia will . hereafter be more extensively employed, as, of all American 
shrubs, its wood most nearly resembles the Box wood, and is most fitted 
to supply its place. I have been assured that its leaves are narcotic, and 
that they are poisonous to cattle. 
This Laurel was long since introduced into Europe, where it is multiplied 
for the beauty of its flowers and of its foliage ; but many years are neces- 
sary to obtain it from the seed, in a condition to bloom. A soft, loose and 
Von. II.—' 7 
