THE CARNIVAL 59 
like the flowers of the other rhododendrons, and 
though the Rhododendron maximum does not bloom 
so profusely as the laurel, the sight of the high wall 
of a ravine tapestried with its large dark-green leaves, 
in which the great flower clusters gleam out, is 
something to remember. The regal Rhododendron 
maximum is not so exciting as the flaming azalea, 
not so home-like as the laurel, nor so theatrical as 
the mountain rose-bay, but it possesses a degree of 
dignity and elegance belonging to it alone and that 
distinguishes it among all the forest growths. 
There are several species of the rhododendron 
found in different parts of the mountains, among 
them the charming little Rhododendron Vaseyii 
that, unlike the other rhododendrons, sheds its 
leaves in the fall. It wassaid at one time to be extinct, 
but this is not true, as any one knows who, early in 
the season, has seen the cliffs on the north side of 
the Grandfather Mountain brightly colored with its 
rosy bloom. 
The azaleas, laurels, and rhododendrons, although 
so abundant in the Southern mountains, are by no 
means confined to them, some species being found 
throughout the whole Appalachian system from 
Canada to Georgia. One recalls certain New Eng- 
land pastures that are mantled in laurel, while the 
Rhododendron maximum occurs locally as far north 
as New Hampshire. The red-blooming mountain 
rose-bay begins its course in Virginia, making a won- 
derful show in the Cumberland Mountains, as all 
will recall with pleasure who have passed through 
