222 EEICACE^— HEATH TRIBE 



should be very powerful agaynst the Plague and poysons ; for all the ancient 

 ■writers doe report that the fruit hereof, being eaten, is an enemy to the 

 stomacke and head. And Clusius likewise setteth downe that at Lishbone, 

 and other places in Portingall, where they are frequent, they are chiefly eaten 

 of the poorer sorte, Avomen and boys." In the neighbourhood of Killai"ney 

 the berries are commonly gathered, and offered in baskets for sale. They 

 are, when fully ripe, perfectly wholesome, although their somewhat astringent 

 properties would render it undesirable to eat very large numbers of them at 

 one time, and in a half-ripened state they are very injurious. The flavour is 

 to many people very pleasant, and in the warmer climates of the south is 

 probably better than in this. In the markets of the south of Europe Arbutus 

 berries are commonly exposed for sale ; and the tree is abundant and beautiful 

 in Italy, though it is not even there so luxuriant as on the limestone rocks of 

 Killarney. 



The rich green glossy leaves of this tree have been used by tanners in the 

 preparation of leather ; and sugar, wine, vinegar, and a spirituous liquor, 

 have also been procured from the berries. In Corsica, for instance, the 

 berries are converted into a wine, of which it is said, but not by way of 

 recommendation, that it retains the properties of the fruit. Some of the 

 exotic species of Arbutus are larger and handsomer than the common 

 kind ; and Baron Humboldt mentions one {A. petioldris), the leaves of which 

 are infested by the caterpillars of a moth which afford a silk, used in Mexico 

 in various manufactures. 



7. Bear-berry (Arcfosfdphylos). 



1. Black Bear-berry {A. alpina). — Stem prostrate; leaves wrinkled, 

 serrated, inversely egg-shaped, netted with veins ; flowers in terminal 

 racemes ; perennial. This plant, which is only found on the dry barren spots 

 of many of the Highland mountains from Forfar and Perth to Shetland, 

 has a long, woody, trailing stem. The flowers, which appear in May, 

 are pitcher-shaped, white, and tinged with a flush of delicate rose-colour. In 

 autumn the foliage is of a beautiful rich red hue, and the berries black ; the 

 leaves remain through the winter. 



2. Red Bear-berry (A. uva-ursi). — Stems prostrate ; leaves inversely 

 egg-shaped, entire ; clusters terminal ; perennial. This is an abundant 

 plant on the mountainous heaths of the north. It is a small evergreen 

 shrub, with tough woody stems and rigid glossy leaves, having rolled 

 margins. The flowers, which expand in May and June, grow in crowded 

 clusters, and are of a bright rose-colour ; and the berries which succeed them 

 are small and round, of a bright scarlet colour. They are mealy, and too 

 dry and austere to be very pleasant, but are eaten by children with relish, 

 and form the common food of the moor-fowl on the rocky heathy places 

 where they abound. Dr. G-. Johnston tells us that in Berwickshire these 

 fruits are called Rapperdandies. They are used medicinally by the High- 

 landers, and their value as an astringent has been confirmed by the testi- 

 mony of medical practitioners ; they are also sometimes gathered for the 

 purpose of tanning. 



