370 WOODY PLANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



are nearly smooth above, but beneath, downy on the veins, 

 which are thereby rendered strikingly distinct. The primary 

 veins, which are prominent, branch only on the lower side, and 

 are intersected at right angles by the parallel secondary veins, 

 forming a beautiful net-work. 



The cymes or heads of flowers radiate from two or more 

 points, the partial footstalks having at their base, linear or strap- 

 shaped, leathery, deciduous bracts. The fruit is ovate, large, 

 of bright crimson color, turning afterwards almost black. The 

 minute calyx occupies the terminal cavity. The nut is oblong- 

 oval, with an obtuse point, flattened, and grooved on both sides. 



FAMILY XX. THE HEATH FAMILY. ERICA' CEJE. 



Few families embrace a greater variety of extremely beautiful 

 plants than this. Few are so universally the favorite objects of 

 cultivation. They recommend themselves to the cultivator by 

 their hardiness, many of them being natives of this or of similar 

 climates, by their showy and lasting flowers, and often by their 

 evergreen leaves. There are three, very distinct sub-divisions 

 of the family; the Heaths, the Rhododendrons, and the Andro- 

 medas. The Pyrolas and Monotropas, still more distinct, are 

 by some authors considered as forming a separate family. Of 

 the true heaths, we have no native species. The greater part 

 of them are indigenous to the Cape of Good Hope, whence they 

 have been most extensively introduced into the conservatories 

 of Europe and America ; a few are natives of Europe. Of the 

 other. allied tribes we have many representatives in New Eng- 

 land. Distinguished by their singular beauty, peculiar ap- 

 pearance, and usually their social or gregarious habits, they 

 are found in all climates and in almost all parts of the world, 

 except New Holland, in which their place is taken by their 

 near allies, the Epacridese. 



The plants of this family are shrubs, under shrubs, or trees, 

 with leaves mostly entire, coriaceous and sempervirent, without 



