HEATH. 173 



The White Three-flowered Tree Heath, the Portugal, 

 and the Purple Mediterranean, are not very tender, but 

 must be sheltered in severe frost. 



The following kinds may stand in the open air in the 

 summer, and be housed about the end of September : 



These are all beautiful; but an attempt to enumerate 

 all that are so would be vain. The earth about the roots 

 of a Heath should be as little stirred as possible ; and they 

 should be seldom and sparingly watered. 



" The Erica here. 



That o'er the Caledonian hills subUme 

 Spreads its dark mantle, (where the bees delight 

 To seek their purest honey) flourishes. 

 Sometimes with bells like amethysts, and then 

 Paler, and shaded like the maiden's cheek 

 With gradual blushes — other while, as white 

 As rime that hangs upon the frozen spray. 

 Of this, old Scotia's hardy mountaineers 

 Their rustic couches form ; and there enjoy 

 Sleep, which, beneath his velvet canopy. 

 Luxurious Idleness implores in vain." 



Mrs. C. Smith. 



The Highland Heath-bed is pleasantly described in the 

 novel of Rob Roy : — " While the unpleasant ideas arising 

 from this suggestion counteracted the good effects of ap- 

 petite, welcome, and good cheer, I remarked that Rob 

 Roy's attention had extended itself to providing us better 

 bedding than we had enjoyed the night before. Two of 

 the least fragile of the bedsteads, which stood by the wall 

 of the hut, had been stuffed with heath, then in full 



