238 ROSACEA 



resenabling that of the cranberry. It is prized by the colonists, and used for 

 tarts. The Tasmanian Bramble is the liubus gunianus of the botanist. It is 

 a small species, having yellow flowers, and is found commonly at the 

 summits of all the mountains, as well as in many level parts of that country. 

 "Its mode of growth," says Backhouse, "is something like that of our dew- 

 berry, and it is a creeping plant, seldom exceeding a few inches in height, but 

 covering patches of ground several feet in extent, and flourishing on a soil 

 chiefly composed of decayed wood. The fruit is of a fine colour, and formed 

 like that of the Arctic bramble. It is concealed by the leaves, which densely 

 cover the ground, and is also partially hid under the light soil." 



* * * Leaflets ternate, stem herbaceous, or nearly so. 



3. Stone Bramble (R. saxdtUis). — Stems slender, rooting, nearly 

 without prickles or bristles ; flower-shoots erect, with a panicle of few 

 flowers ; leaflets ternate, slightly downy. This Bramble is found chiefly in 

 the north and west of this kingdom, where it grows on stony mountainous 

 places. Its leaflets are egg-shaped, and are sometimes only two in 

 number. The flowers are minute, appearing from June to August, and are 

 of a greenish j^ellow colour. The fruits are large, bright red, and few in 

 number. 



4. Arctic Bramble, or Strawberry-leaved Bramble (B. drcticus). 

 — Stems erect, not rooting, Avithout prickles or bristles; petals roundish, 

 notched ; flower terminal and mostly solitary ; leaflets ternate, slightly 

 downy, and bluntly serrated. This Bramble is well known in the North of 

 Europe, and its fruit is highly prized. It is recorded as growing many years 

 ago in the Isle of Mull, and on Ben-y-Gloe, in Athole. Sir William Hooker 

 and Dr. Arnott remark of this species : — " The only place in Scotland which 

 agrees with the foreign localities of this plant, is in the low moors near the 

 station of Menziesia ccerulea, where stood the old Caledonian forest ; there 

 only need it be looked for, the two spots above given we have searched in 

 vain for it." Many botanists have searched for it since, but all have failed 

 to find it. 



The Arctic Bramble is found on mountainous turfy bogs ; its stems are 

 from four to six inches in height, and its flowers large and rose-coloured, 

 expanding in June. The flavour of the fruit is delicious, partaking both of 

 that of the raspbei'ry and strawberry. In Sweden a very rich wine is made 

 of these berries. "The nobility in Norlandia," says Linnseus, "cause to be 

 made of the berries syrup, jelly, and bramble wine, which are partly con- 

 sumed by themselves, and partly sent to their friends at Stockholm, as the 

 most choice and delicious dainties ;" and, indeed, among all the Avild berries 

 of Sweden, these seem to hold the first place. Linnteus, in his "Flora 

 Lapponica," records his obligations to this fruit. "I should be ungrateful," 

 he says, " to this excellent plant, which has so often refreshed me with the 

 nectareous juice of its berries when almost overcome with hunger and fatigue, 

 were I not to give a full description of it." All travellers in the North of 

 Europe speak highly of the worth of this fruit, and of the somewhat less 

 delicious Cloudberry. The berries of the Arctic Bramble are not only highly 

 flavoured, but so fragrant, that if only a few be gathered and placed in a 



