68 ARBUTUS UVA URSI, 
persistent. Corolla ovate or ureeolate, white with 
a reddish tinge, transparent at base, contracted 
at the mouth, hairy inside, with five short, reflex- 
ed segments, Stamens inserted at the base of the 
corolla with hairy filaments, and anthers with two 
horns and two pores in each. Germ round, style 
straight, longer than the stamens, stigma simple, 
Nectary a black indented ring, situated below the 
germ, and remaining till the fruit is ripe. Ber- 
ries globular, depressed, of a deep red, approach- 
ing scarlet, containing an insipid, mealy pulp, and 
about five seeds, which in the American plant co- 
here strongly together, so as to appear like the nu- 
cleus of a drupe. 
The leaves and stems of the Uva ursi are used 
in Sweden and Russia for the purpose of tanning 
leather. According to Linneus, large quantities 
are annually collected for this use. 
When chewed in the mouth, the leayes have 
an astringent taste, combined with some degree of 
bitterness. The result of such chemical trials as 
Thave made with them, shews that they abound 
in tannin, which is probably their chief active con- 
stituent. A solution of gelatin occasions a copi- 
ous precipitate ; sulphate of iron an equally co- 
pious one of a black colour. Nitrate of mereury 
and lime water gaye large precipitates from the 
