ILLUSTRATIONS OF INDIAN BOTANY. 121 



answered is, Which is the Lest ? Is the Erical alliance more naturally situated when associated 

 with Ranales, Berberales, Rutales, Gereniales, &c., than it would be if associated with Echiales 

 Bignonia es, Campanales, Cmchonales, &c.? This question must be answered by better and 

 more philosophical Botanists than I presume to consider myself; but, so far as ray own ophnon 

 goes I own hat I prefer the old place from thinking the Erical alliance more nearly related to 

 the Cinchonal and Campanal alliances, than to the Rutal and Berberal. But while I thus adhere 

 to the older arrangement perhaps more from habit than philosophy, I still think we are greatly 

 indebted to Dr. Lmdley for striking out a new path to aid us In arriving at a correct knowledo-e 

 or ammties. as it mav Drove thp. mfinns nf lAflY^Inn- no +« +v^^ ;i;^-, „p • i ..* 



relationships, hitherto overlooked, owing to our having had only one road by which to arrive a? 

 them, as, by showing us the same things in different lights and combinations, it may ere lona be 

 the means of indicating other paths, leading more directly to the still distant object In view an 

 arrangement of orders built on a natural, not artificial foundation, or in other words on a 

 physiological, in place of a structural basis. Should we ever attain that point of perfection we 



structure 



G 



name designated, cohorts, alliances, classes, or all combined, as so many parts of the general 

 plan of arrangement. CinchonaceoB may be quoted as a case in point, where a very heteroge- 

 neous combination of structural forms is held together by a single physiological character. 



:oGRAPHTCAL DisTRiBDTioN. The range of this family Is extensive. As a whole, it 

 may truly be called Cosmopolite, not so its sections. Ericece, including all the true heaths with 

 marcescent corollas, are confined to Europe and Africa, especially the Southern promentory of 

 the latter ; "Cape Heaths" are proverbial. In Europe, though the number of species is small, 

 the individuals are unlimited, extensive tracts of country being occupied by them, to the almost 

 total exclusion of all other plants, except some grasses, rushes, Sec. Andromidece, on the other 

 hand, distinguished by their deciduous flowers, are common to Europe, Asia, Africa, North and 

 South America, and a few in Australia; but I beheve in all these countries showing, when 

 growing within the tropics, an extra-tropical habit, by selecting the more elevated regions as their 

 place of abode. 



In India, the Himalayas, and their off-shoots in Assam, Khassya, &c., furnish several species 

 of Andromida, Gaultherea, and Rhododendron. The Neilgherries furnish one species of each 

 of the two last named genera, and Ceylon an equal number, perhaps more. Of the nearly 



Malacca 



Holland 



there occupies the place the heath does in Africa. 



Medical Properties. This family is much more celebrated for its ornamental, than 

 economical or medicinal properties, though not altogether deficient in these. In its ornamental 

 capacity, It is nearly unrivaled in the Vegetable Kingdom. The true heaths are universal 

 favourites in the green house, the Andromedas are about equally esteemed in the parterre, and 

 the rich Rhododendrons ^ AzaliaSy and Kalmeas, in the shrubbery. In regard to their economical 

 applications, httle can be said for them. Among the ErieecBy or true heaths, Caluna vulgaris, 

 common Heather, is employed by fullers and dyers, while its tough branches are in universal 

 demand for brooms, &c., it possesses considerable astringency and, where abundant, is a favourite 

 food for bees, of which last property several species of Erica partake. The Andromedece are 

 endowed with bitter and astringent properties, combined in some with resinous and aromatic 

 virtues, while the Arctostaphilos Uva ursi, has been long celebrated for its efficacy in the relief 

 of renal diseases and other affections of the urinary passages. Its berries are austere and 

 mealy, but those of some of the other species are said to be pleasant and edible. Some possess 

 narcotic virtues in a mild form. The fruit of Gaultherea procumhem, an American shrub, con- 

 tains a pungent volatile oil, used as an anti-spasmodic and diuretic. That of the Neilgherry 

 species is, on the contrary, the most mawkish, insipid fruit I almost^ ever recollect tasting. 

 Among the Rhodorece^ narcotic properties of much intensity exist, which have been 

 found useful in the treatment of Nervous diseases and Chronic Rheumatism. And the often- 

 quoted case of poisoning, during the retreat of the 10,000 Greeks, is attributed to eating honey 



