162 BRITISH PLANTS. 



many feet, and it produces a profusion of its rosy blossoms tliroughout 

 the latter part of summer and the autumn months. It will grow well 

 in any situation, and is a capital thing for the front of a neat shrubbery. 

 It likes peat, and a compact soil and shady situation, although it is by 

 no means particular in its clioice. 



Erica, or Heath. There are several distinct species of Heatli, 

 natives of this country, and all really deserving of cultivation ; but, as 

 the treatment of all the kinds is very similar, we may make one para- 

 graph do for all the species. They should be treated as nearly as 

 possible in the way that Cape Heaths are grown ; with this difference, 

 that they require no winter protection. Like them, tliey should be 

 grown in peat, and they should have abundance of 'fresh air. Some of 

 the species might be grown in pots, and removed for the ornament of 

 the greenhouse, the conservatory, or the drawing-room, when in flower ; 

 they form good plants for this purpose, and grow with very little care 

 or attention. Our British species are : — 



Erica cinerea. Common, or Fine-leaved Heath, which is 

 abundant on heaths and moors. 



Erica Mediterranea, or Mediterranean Heath, which was 

 discovered in Ireland, in 1830, by Mr. M'Kay, in boggy ground. 



Erica carnea, or Flesh-coloured Heath, for which only one 

 locality is recorded, viz., Galway, Ireland, on the authority of 

 Miss Martin. 



Erica tetralix, or Cross-leaved Heath, a species common in 

 boggy heaths. 



Erica vagans, or Cornish Heath, a denizen of Cornwall 

 heaths. 



Erica ciliaris, or Fringed Heath, which grows on boggy 

 heaths in Cornwall. 



Menziesia polifolia, or Irish Menziesia, is a native of the Green 

 Isle, and a very beautiful little shrub. Its treatment is in every way 

 similar to the Heaths, which vide. 



Vaccinium vites-id^a, or Red Whortle Berry, a very little 

 evergreen slirub, that grows on cold dry heaths ; it resembles very 

 much in appearance the garden Box, but, unlike that plant, it pro- 

 duces lovely little flesh-coloured flowers. The plant can scarcely be 

 said to demand a place in the flower border, for its flowers are not very 

 conspicuous ; but we introduce it here with the view of suggesting it 

 to some of our readers as a plant well suited for an edging. In the 

 cold region of Norway it is used for this purpose, instead of Box, and 

 would do equally well here, no doubt. How often do we hear com- 

 plaints about Jack Frost killing the Box edgings yearly in some 

 gardens, and yet we have as good an edging plant growing wild on our 

 own hills in great abundance, that would bid defiance to all the Jack 

 Frosts that were ever borne on Boreas' wings. We hope that some 

 reader, enthusiastic in the cause of our wildlings, may be induced to 

 try the Whortle Berry, on a small scale, as an edging ; for we do not 

 feel warranted in recommending a whole garden to be laid out with it 

 in the meantime, lest some fault may lurk in it which we do not know. 



PyROLA rotundifoi-ia, or Round-leaved Winter Green, is an 



