GAULTHE'RIA PROCUM'BENS. 



TRAILING GAULTHERIA. 

 Class. Order. 



DECANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 



Natural Order. 



ERICE^E. 



No. 17. 



The present genus has been named after Dr. 

 Gaulthier, or Gautier, a physician and botanist of 

 Canada; whence the Gaultheria procumbens was 

 first introduced. Procumbens, from the Latin, im- 

 plying a bending downwards. 



Our present is an interesting little subject, and is, 

 in appearance, somewhat like the vaccinium, or bil- 

 berry tribe. Its pendent crimson berries some- 

 times remain on the plant and accompany the flow- 

 ers of the following year. They form a pretty con- 

 trast to each other; and with its motley evergreen 

 foliage, constitute a small, though brilliant, orna- 

 ment in a shady part of the garden. 



The inhabitants of some parts of North America 

 are said to use the leaves as we do that incompa- 

 rable produce of the * Celestial Empire' Tea. 



An infusion of them certainly possesses consider- 

 able fragrance; and were we not prejudiced in fa- 

 vour of our accustomed beverage, might be thought 

 equally pleasant; and would, probably, be found 

 equally wholesome. 



It should be planted in peat, in a cool situation ; 

 where it will slowly increase by its creeping roots. 



5 Hort. Kew. 2, v. 3, 56. 



