1086 ARBORETUM AND FRUTICETUM. PART III. 
honey produced from the flowers of heath, and, indeed, from the Vaccinium, 
the Azalea, and the whole of the Fricacez, is of a dark brown colour, and has 
a particular flavour, which, to some persons, is disagreeable, but to others is 
preferable to that of the low country honey. Medicinally, the shoots of the 
heath are considered diuretic and astringent ; and, in Pliny’s time, a decoction 
of the leaves of some species was considered a remedy for the bites of ser- 
pents: but the Callima, at present, is not included in any materia medica. 
The branches of the heath afford shelter to many birds, and the seeds con- 
stitute a principal part of the food of the grouse, and other inhabitants of the 
moors. It is a remarkable circumstance, that the peculiar construction of 
the seed-vessel, with which, Sir J. E. Smith informs us, Gertner was so 
much struck (see Gen. Char., p. 1076. and p. 1077.), is calculated to retain the 
seed in it a whole year. The foliage of the heath, in England, affords nourish- 
ment to the larva of the Phale‘na quércus, or the great egger moth. In 
England, it is also very liable to be encumbered by the smaller dodder (Cuscuta 
Epithymum); but neither of these enemies to the plant is common in 
Scotland. The principal use of the Callina, in British gardens, is as an 
ornamental plant; and, in sandy or mossy soils, as an edging instead of 
box. In several gardens about Edinburgh, it is employed in this way; and 
is found not only to endure clipping as well, or better, than the box; but by 
forming a more compact edging, it is less apt to harbour snails and slugs. The 
most effectual mode of destroying heath, where it abounds on soil not worth 
subjecting to the plough, is to plant it with evergreen trees, such as the 
Scotch pine; which, when they have grown to a sufficient height to cover the 
surface, will effectually destroy it by their shade, and thus convert the plants 
into nourishment for the trees. When heathy ground has been subjected to 
the plough, it should never be kept in pasture for many years together, unless 
it is richly manured; for, as the seeds retain their vitality for many years, 
plants never fail, at the end of a few seasons, to make their appearance among 
the grass. In the improvement of heath soils, lime is always a principal m- 
gredient; it being found necessary to neutralise the tannin and acid principles 
which exist in the mould formed by the decay of the heath. 
Poetical Allusions, §c. This well-known plant, which covers so many acres 
of land, particularly in the north of England and Scotland, with its evergreen 
leaves and beautiful flowers, has been a favourite subject with many British 
poets, from Burns, whose 
** Moorcock springs, 
On whirring wings, 
Amid the blooming heather,” 
to Mary Howitt, who gives a fine picture of 
“ those wastes of heath, 
Stretching for miles to lure the bee; 
Where the wild bird, on pinions strong, 
Wheels round and pours his piping song, 
And timid creatures wander free.” 
The heath is considered the emblem of solitude; but, from its frequent use as 
beds in the Highlands, its sweet and refreshing smell rather recalls ideas of 
social enjoyments and wild though hearty hospitality. 
App. I. List of hardy Species and Varieties of Ericdcea belonging 
to the Group Ericee normales, of which Plants are cultivated 
Sor Sale in the Tooting Nursery; with some additional Names 
Jrom the “ Hortus Woburnensis,” marked *. 
The Price of the greater number of sorts in this List is 1s. each, but a few of them are Is. 6d. each. 
Callina vulgaris (Erica L.) Eng. Bot., 1013. Height 1 ft. to 2ft., Fl. red, 
June to August. 
