242 
ON KALMIA LATIFOLIA. 
a gray color. The leaves are on long petioles, scattered, 
ternate, oval and smooth on both sides. The flowers are 
arranged in terminal corymbs : the corolla wheel salver- 
form, with ten horns beneath, and ten corresponding cavi- 
ties within, containing the anthers until the pollen is ma- 
ture. They are usually of a rose color, occasionally white. 
The calyx is five-parted, persistent, wheel form, and hypo- 
gynous. The stamens are ten in number, and inserted into 
the base of the corolla ; anthers two-celled, the cells hard 
and dry. There is but one persistent style. The capsule 
is five-celled, five-valved, the valves alternating with the 
divisions of the calyx. Seed indefinite, .minute, embryo 
cylindrical, in the axis of fleshy albumen, radical opposite 
the hilum. 
Habitat. — This species of Kalmia is found throughout 
the United States, but is most abundant on hill sides and 
the banks of rivers and streams ; it is also found in great 
abundance on the Alleghany mountains, which are rendered 
quite gay at the season of its flowering, by the large clusters 
of beautiful rose colored flowers contrasted with the rich 
green foliage. It begins to flower late in June, continuing 
in inflorescence about a month. The seeds do not ripen 
until late in the fall. Its handsome flowers and rich ever- 
green foliage, render it well worthy of cultivation as an 
ornamental plant. The most ready way of propagation, is 
by parting the roots late in the fall; if grown from the seed 
it does not flower until several years old. The situation 
best adapted to its habits is a shady border of light gravelly 
and rich soil. 
Medical History. — The poisonous nature of the Kalmia, 
was probably familiar to the aborigenes, before we became 
acquainted with it. Dr. Barton says, a decoction of the 
leaves is used by the Delaware Indians, to poison them- 
selves with. It is a prevailing opinion also, that sheep and 
cattle are occasionally poisoned by feeding on the leaves, 
but they are eaten with impunity by deer, goats and par- 
