ERICACE^. 23 



Stems wiry, 3 to 10 inches high, with the leaves bifarious close 

 together, coriaceous, evergreen, ^ to 1^ inch long, somewhat resem- 

 bling those of the Box, but paler green, and with the veins more 

 impressed on the upper side, the lower side not reticulate- veined, 

 but dotted with small glands. Kacemes ^ to 1 inch long, terminal. 

 Plowers about J inch long, white or pale rose-colour. Calyx red. 

 Stamens included. Style exserted. Berries about the size of red 

 currants, but rather darker in colour. Plant glabrous, except the 

 shoots of the year, peduncles, margins of the leaf at the base, rachis, 

 and pedicels. 



JRed WJiortleberry . 



French, Airelle Ponctuee. German, Preisselbeere. 



This plant has also the common English names of Mount-Ida Berry and Cow- 

 berry. It is a pretty little low evergreen shrub, growing from six to ten inches high, 

 with leaves like those of box, only of a brighter and more glossy green. It bears its 

 small bell-shaped flowers in drooping racemes, and the fruit which follows is a pretty 

 shining black berry, which is retained on the plant for many months. It forms an 

 exceedingly pretty edging in a garden instead of box, wherever clipping can be dis- 

 pensed with, and is particularly applicable to American borders, or anywhere in peat 

 soil. The berries form an important article of commerce in the sea-ports bordering 

 the Gulf of Bothnia, whence they are sent to the South of Europe with cranberries. 

 The berries are not much eaten in the districts of Great Britain where they are found, 

 but in Sweden they are greatly valued. When first gathered, the berries are very 

 tasteless, but after exposure to frost they become very acid. They are usually thrown 

 into water on being gathered, where they soon acquire their proper flavour, and keep 

 a long time. Quantities are sold in London as cranberries, imported as such from 

 Sweden. In Derbyshire the berries are often made into pies, and in Sweden a rob, 

 or jelly, is made from them, which is eaten commonly with roast meat, and considered 

 preferable to currant-jelly. As a remedy for coughs, colds, and sore throats, the pre- 

 served fruit has a great local reputation. Sweetmeats are made of the berries with 

 honey or sugar, which in 1814, Mr. Loudon tells us, were in frequent use in Moscow 

 at balls and masquerades. 



Section III.— EU-VACCINIUM. Torre?/. 



Corolla globular or ovoid, sub-urceolate, 4- or 5-toothed. fila- 

 ments smooth. Anthers awned. Leaves deciduous. Flowers 

 axillary, solitary, or 2 or 3 together. 



SPECIES III.— VAC CINIUM ULIGINOSUM. Linn. 



Plate DCCCLXXVIII. 



Eeich. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MCLXVIIL Figs. 3, 4. 

 BiUot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 1527. 



Bootstock creeping. Stems erect or ascending, very rigid, very 

 woody, much branched. Leaves very shortly stalked, obovate or 



