CHAP. LXIX. ERICA‘CER. VACCI'NIUM. 1157 
Stem acutely angular, smooth. Calyx hardly 
divided. Corolla globose, generally 5-cleft, of a 
very delicate, waxy, pink hue. (Don’s Mill., iii. 
p. 852.) Ashrub, from 6in. to 2 ft. high; a 
native of heaths, stony moors, and mountain 
woods, throughout most parts of Europe, es- 
pecially the more northern countries; and also 
in the north of Africa and Asia; and at Nootka 
Sound and Nova Scotia, in America. It is plen- 
tiful in Britain and Ireland, and also in Iceland. 
According to H. C. Watson, it becomes pro- 
cumbent about the subalpine zone in England, 
and rarely produces flowers. Only the loftiest 
mountains in Scotland rise sufficiently high to 
arrest its ascent. It is seen on the summit of 
Ben Lawers, 4.000 ft. above the level of the sea,'and on some other moun- 
tains rather higher. In general, it grows at elevations of from 200 ft. to 
600 ft. higher than E’mpetrum nigrum. It is found in every country in 
Britain, from Cornwall to Caithness, least frequently in the south-eastern 
countries, and increases in quantity as we advance northward. “ This 
is one of the species,” Mr. Watson observes, “ that, if allowed, would over- 
run Britain, and form, with Callina vulgaris and Z’mpetrum nigrum, much 
of the natural physiognomical character of its vegetation.” (Outlines, &c., 
p- 201.) The berries of this species are of a bluish black, about the size 
of currants, and covered with a mealy bloom: they are eaten in tarts, 
or with cream, or made into jelly, in the northern and western counties of 
England and Scotland; and, in other parts of the country, they are made 
into pies and puddings. In Devonshire, the berries are eaten with clotted 
eream; in Poland, mixed with wood strawberries, and eaten with new 
milk, they are considered a great delicacy. Their juice has been em- 
ployed to stain paper or linen purple. In autumn, many kinds of game 
live upon their berries, and the plant affords them shelter. In gardens, 
it may be cultivated in sandy peat, kept moist, in a situation airy, but 
somewhat shaded. 

Varrety. 
o V. M. 2 baccis albis has white fruit. At the moment when we were 
writing this article (June 6. 1836), Mr. John Booth of the Floet- 
beck Nursery, near Hamburg, called on us, and, among other 
information, stated that a patch of 154 plants of this variety had 
lately been discovered in the Black Forest, and that he had plants 
of it for sale. 
Mr. Menzies brought from the west coast of North America specimens 
of what may be considered as a gigantic variety of V. Myrtillus, which 
he found growing there to the height of 7 ft. or 8 ft.; but it has not yet been 
introduced. 
w 2. V. utteino‘sum L. The bog Whortleberry, or great Bilberry. 
Identification. Lin. Spec., 499. ; Smith Eng. FI.,2. p. 210. ; Don’s Mill., 3. p 851. ; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. 
Synonyme. Myrtillus grandis Bawh. Hist., 1. p. 518. 
Engravings. Eng. Bot., t.581.; Fl. Dan., t. 231. ; and our fig. 970. 
Spec. Char., §c. Pedicels somewhat aggregate, 1-flowered. Leaves obovate, 
entire, smooth. Branches terete. Taller than the common bilberry, and 
of a more glaucous hue. Leaves glaucous beneath. Flowers flesh- 
coloured, with 8 long-horned stamens. Berries large, juicy, black, and 
covered with a mealy bloom. (Don's Mill., iii. p. 852.) A shrub, about 
2ft. high; a native of Sweden, Germany, Siberia, Switzerland, Savoy, 
Scotland, and the north of England; as well as in the more northern parts 
of America, and on its west coast; and on the Island of Sitcha, and in the 
north of Asia, in marshy mountain heaths and alpine bogs. In Scotland, 
4G 4 
