181 



material deviation from it acquires a peculiar degree of consequence. In Eri- 

 ceae the anther consists of 2 cells, usually furnished with peculiar appendages ; 

 in Epacrideae it is simply 1 -celled, with no appendages whatever. The 

 order is remarkable for containing species with both definite and indefinite 

 seeds. 



Geography. All natives of Australasia or Polynesia, where they abound 

 as Heaths at the Cape of Good Hope. It is remarkable that only 1 or 2 of 

 the Heath tribe are found in the countries occupied by Epacridese. 



Properties. The fruit of Lissanthc sapida, called the Australian cranber- 

 ry, is eatable. Chiefly remarkable for the great beauty of the flowers of many 

 species. 



Examples. Epacris, Styphelia, Leucopogon, Sprengelia. 



CLXXII. VACCINIE.E. The Bilberry Tribe. 



Vaccinie-k, Dec. Theor. Elem. 216. (1813); Dec. and Duby, 315. (1818); Lindl. Synops. 134. 



(1829.) 



Diagnosis. Monopetalous dicotyledons, with an inferior ovarium, a regular 

 corolla, succulent fruit, indefinite ovules, alternate leaves, and calcarate an- 

 thers. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx superior, entire, or with from 4 to 6 lobes. Corolla mono- 

 petalous, lobed as often as the calyx. Stamens distinct, double the number of the lobes of the 

 corolla, inserted into an epigynous disk ; anthers with 2 horns and 2 cells. Ovarium inferior, 

 4- or 5-oelled, many-seeded ; style simple ; stigma simple. Berry crowned by the persistent 

 limb of the calyx, succulent, 4- or &-celled, many-seeded. Seeds minute; embryo straight in 

 the axis of a fleshy albumen ; cotyledons very short ; radicle long, inferior. — Sfn~ubs, with alter- 

 nate coriaceous leaves. 



Affinities. Formerly combined with Ericese, from which it differs in its 

 inferior ovarium and succulent fruit. It is confounded by Achille Richard with 

 Escalloniese, which are essentially distinguished by their flowers being polype- 

 talous and the anthers bursting lengthwise. Myrtacese are obviously separated 

 by being polypetalous, by the leaves being opposite and marked with transpa- 

 rent dots, &c. 



Geography. Natives of North America, where they are found in great 

 abundance as far as high northern latitudes ; sparingly in Europe ; and not un- 

 commonly on high land in the Sandwich Islands. 



Properties. Much the same as those of Ericese ; their bark and leaves 

 are astringent, slightly tonic, and stimulating. The berries of many are eaten, 

 under the names of Cranberry, Bilberry, Whortleberry, &c. All the species 

 are choice subjects of the gardener's care. 



Examples. Vaccinium, Oxycoccus. 



