126 MR. N. E. BROWN ON VACCINIUM INTERMEDIUM. 
upon this and other points I will quote its discoverer's own words. 
Prof. Bonney writes, Sept. 1886, speaking first of the geological 
formation and general nature of the vegetation of the locality :— 
* The rock is the Pebble-bed of the Bunter group, and there is 
hardly any surface soil. Except where Firs have been planted, 
there are not many trees, only now and then scattered Birches, 
Oaks, or (more rarely) Thorns; occasionally, towards the margin of 
the Chase, Furze is abundant ; but the ground is generally covered 
with Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea (and more rarely E. tetraliz), 
Vaccinium Myrtillus, and Pteris aquilina. Vaccinium Vitis- 
idea is not so generally found, but is very abundant in certain 
localities. The new Vaccinium is readily distinguishable from 
V. Myrtillus, which at first sight it more resembles, by the deeper 
and richer green of the leaf(V. Myrtillus at this time of the 
year [September] has rather a yellow-green tint), and by a more 
free mode of growth, the sprays curving very slightly outwards 
and downwards, while V. Myrtillus is apt to be a little stiff in its 
growth. The different tint and foliage caught my eye, and then 
I noticed the flower. In other letters to Mr. W. T. Thiselton 
Dyer, F.R.S., Prof. Bonney writes :—“ I saw the plant growing 
in considerable abundance; all about it grew the other two 
Vaccinia, Heath, &c. I was struck by the different tint of green 
of the leaf, the more free mode of growth, larger size, and the 
lighter tint of the flower. Another singular point is that it was 
all in flower. We searched for some time and could not find 4 
fruit, yet V. Myrtillus and V. Vitis-idea are in full fruit, and 
flowers are rare.” “ The flower (of V. intermedium) has a very 
marked scent, something like hawthorn; it is certainly now 
(Aug. 29th) in full bloom.” “I walked this morning (Dec. 23, 
1886) to the spot where the hybrid Vaccinium is growing. I find 
that itis practically evergreen ; V. Myrtillus is quite bare of leaves, 
except here and there some low-growing, apparently young shoots ; 
all the strong healthy plants are bare. But the hybrid has ita 
leaves still green and fresh-looking. In one or two cases a few 
leaves seemed to have dropped, but one may fairly say that it is 
as exceptionally deciduous as the other is evergreen. V. Vitis-idea 
is of course in full leaf, and even had in some cases its seeds. I 
could find no seed on the hybrid. This evergreen habit is re- 
markable, and bears out what you said as to the greater affinity 
with V. Vitis-idea. Yet, curiously enough, a passer-by would be 
more likely to confuse the plant with V. Myrtillus than with 
