Bilberry and Heather 211 
been completely lost; but it has been bestowed in 
more modern times upon this genus in the belief that 
it was originally spelled Baccinium, signifying a 
plant that produced berries. Myrtillus has reference 
to the superficial likeness between this plant and 
Myrtle, and I think there can be little doubt that 
Whortle-berry was once Myrtle-berry ; yet when one 
hears these Surrey villagers speaking of the berries 
as “ Hurts,” the connection of that word with Myrtle 
is not immediately obvious. Bilberry was probably 
once either Bell-berry or Hill-berry; and Blaeberry 
is, of course, the Northern pronunciation of Blue- 
berry. 
The Bog Whortle-berry (V. uliginosum) is a 
similar plant, but of less erect growth, and with 
smaller berries; found only in the bogs and copses 
of the mountain districts. The Cowberry (V. vitis- 
ada) is also a mountain species, but is found more 
on elevated heathy lands rather than in bogs. Its 
leaves are evergreen, and its flowers and fruit are 
clustered instead of being solitary; the anthers, too, 
are without the horns on their backs. The berries 
are red, and of a more acid quality than those of 
Bilberry. One other member of the genus is the 
well-known Cranberry (V. owycoccus), a creeping 
plant of sphagnum bogs, with evergreen leaves and 
a corolla split into four narrow lobes. Its anthers, 
which have no horns, are yellow, and stand con- 
spicuously in view. The dark-red berries, which are 
exceedingly acid, are in much request on account of 
their well-known anti-scorbutic properties. 
The beautiful Strawberry-tree (Arbutus wunedo) 
is unfortunately restricted as a true native to certain 
