THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



eric name of Pyrola. The Labrador tea genus, Ledum, is 

 borrowed from another pAiropean plant, having been named 

 for the cistus or rock rose (Cisfiis Icdon) of the Mediterran- 



ean region. 



Tlic members of the Kricaceac are usually so attractive 

 when in hjodm that they ;ippeal to all lovers of the beautiful. 

 The tldwcrs are rarely inconspicuous. Sometimes the blos- 

 soms may be minute, in which case they make up the deficiency 

 by appearing in great profusion, at others, clusters of fewer 

 large flowers make the plants noticeable. When in bloom the 

 heaths fairly take the landscape. There are, however, no 

 true heaths, that is. no members of the genus Erica, in Amer- 

 ica, but in their stead and occupying much the same habitats, 

 are numerous species of blueberry. The heaths and heathers 

 derive their names from growing in sterile and remote re- 

 gions, which are known in the tongues of Northwestern Eu- 

 rope by heath or words of similar sound. From the same 

 w( >rd comes heathen which originally had no adverse connota- 

 tion, hut meant, sirni)!)-, people lacking the advantages of cul- 

 tivated society. The Old World "heather." Callnna vidgaris, 

 has become sparingly established along the New England 

 coast but it has always been so well known in Europe as to 

 have few other vernacular names. The name "ling" some- 

 times used is a very old Anglo-Saxon term said to have the 

 same meaning as heather. From the use of its twigs in 

 brooms it is occasionally known as "moor besom." 



Our American heathers or, as we have noted, the species 

 that approach the heathers nearest in habitat and appearance, 

 are the various species of Vacciniuiu. The members of the 

 group, almost without exception are familiarly called "blue- 

 berries" from the color of the fruits, or somewhat less fre- 

 quently as "huckleberries." The latter is an old term of un- 



