HEATH. 171 



which, notwithstanding the name it bears, is as often 

 purple and yellow, or even purple alone, as all yellow. 



It would be an impertinence to attempt to describe the 

 Heart" s-ease ; therefore let us proceed at once to the 

 treatment of this little favourite. The roots may be pur- 

 chased so cheaply, and the flowers of these will be so 

 much finer than any that are sown at home, that this will 

 be much the best way of procuring them. At a nursery, 

 or at Covent-Garden flower-market, six or more may be 

 had for a shilling, all of them covered with flowers and 

 buds. They love the sun, but must be liberally watered 

 every evening to replenish the moisture, which it will 

 consume. 



It is said somewhere that the Heart's-ease is sacred to 

 Saint Valentine. It must be confessed to be a choice 

 worthy of that amiable and very popular saint ; for the 

 flower, like love, is painted in the most brilliant colours, is 

 full of sweet names, and grows alike in the humblest as 

 well as the richest soils. Another point of resemblance, 

 too, may be added, that v/here once it has taken root, it 

 so pertinaciously perpetuates itself, that it is almost im- 

 possible to eradicate it. 



HEATH. 



ERICA. 

 ERICINEjE. octandria monogynia. 



In some parts of England Heath is called Ling, probably from the 

 Danish, lyng : in Shropshire, Grig, from the Welsh, grfig : in Scot- 

 land, Hather, or Heather ; which, like the English Heath, is derived 

 from the Anglo-Saxon, hseth. — French, labruyere; lande; la brande; 

 le petrole. — Italian, Erica, Macchia. 



" This genus," says Mr. Martyn, " has, within the com- 

 pass of a few years, risen from neglect to splendour. 

 Every one remembers that Mr. Pope marks it with con- 



