CHAP. LXIX. - ERICA CEH. VACCI‘NIUM. 1165 
Stems ascending, a span high. Young branches 
terete, downy. Leaves like those of box, but 
darker. Flowers pale pink, 4-cleft, octandrous. 
Anthers without spurs. Berries blood-red, acid, 
austere, and bitter; less palatable than either the 
cranberry or bilberry. (Don’s Mill., iii. p. 855.) It 
is a native of dry, barren, stony woods and heaths, 
in the north of Europe; plentiful in Scotland, © 
Westmoreland, Derbyshire, and Wales. Mr. Pursh 
says it occurs on rocks near the sea coast, from Ca-- 
nada to New England; but the American plant is 
more robust than the European, with considerably 
larger leaves. Pallas states that it is found in the 
whole of Russia, and throughout Siberia, more es- 
pecially in pine woods. It grows, in elevated ex- 
posed situations, to the height of 5in. or 6in.; but, in sheltered places 
in sandy peat soil, it attains the height of 1 ft., producing its pale flesh- 
coloured fiowers in May and June, and ripening its fruit from August to 
October, according to the season. The berries are scarcely to be eaten 
raw : but they are made into pies in Derbyshire; and,in Sweden, a rob, or 
jelly, is made from them, which is eaten with all kinds of roast meat, and is 
considered preferable to red currant jelly as a sauce for venison. In Sweden, 
this preserve is also considered an excellent medicine in colds, sore throats, 
and all irritations of the mouth or fauces. In Siberia, the berries are mace- 
rated, during the autumn and part of the winter, in water; and afterwards 
they are eaten in a raw state, and fermented along with barley or rye, and 
a spirit distilled from them; or with honey, and a wine produced. Sweet- 
meats are also made of them with honey or sugar, which, in 1814, we 
found in frequent use in Moscow, at balls and masquerades. In Sweden 
and Norway, the plant is said to be used in gardens for edgings, as box is 
in Central Europe ; and, in British gardens, it is sometimes so applied to 
American beds and borders, and in other cases where the soil is peat. 
From its smooth shining foliage, and the beauty of its flowers and fruit, 
the latter being retained on the plant for several months, it forms a more 
beautiful and varied edging than box, provided clipping can be dispensed 
with. The berries of this plant form an important article of commerce 
in the sea ports bordering the Gulf of Bothnia, whence they are sent to 
the south of Europe along with cranberries. 
« 25. V.(V.) BuxiFo‘LIum Salish. The Box-leaved Whortleberry. 
Identification. Salisb, Par., t.4. ; Don’s Mill., 3. p. 856. ; Lodd. Cat., ed. 1836. 
Synonyme. V.brachycerum Michx. Fl. Bor. Amer., 1. p. 23 
Engravings. Curt. Bot. Mag., t. 928. ; Lodd. Bot Cab., t. 648. 3 and our figs. 988, 989. 
Spec. Char., §c. Racemes axillary, of few flowers. Leaves petiolate, obovate, 
toothed, or crenated, smooth on both surfaces. Stems tufted. Corollas 
roundish-ovate. Filaments glandular. Stigma 
capitate. Flowers white, delicately striped with 
red. (Don’s Mill., iii. p. 856.) A handsome little 
shrub, in stature and general aspect resembling V’. 
Vitis ide‘a. The leaves are, however, smooth, 
even, and not dotted on the under side. Corollas 
globular, contracted at the mouth, not bell-shaped. 
ae ak Stamens 10. An- 
mew” CBAC thers spurless at 
the base, discharg- 
ing their pollen by 
lateral, not termi- 
<2 nal,apertures. It 
~ is a native of the 
western parts of 


