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ERICACE^. 



[CLASS 



the mountain-ranges of the Tropics. One genus (Erica) 

 very numerous at the Cape of Good Hope. British 

 genera 7, species 23. 



Wiry shrubs. Stamens 8 or 10, epigynous or hypogynous. 



Type Scotch Heath (Erica cinerea). 

 A low bushy wiry shrub, with narrow-linear leaves, and 

 racemose clusters of purple flowers. 



The Bilberry or Whortleberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus) 

 may be taken as the representative Sub-type of those 

 species which have the ovary adherent to the calyx-tube, 

 tha corolla and stamens being consequently epigynous. 



OBSERVE the persistent (marcescenf) corolla of Heaths : 

 the anthers dehiscing by pores at the top, and often with 

 spur-like appendages at the base. 



Compare the fruits of Heath and Bilberry ; in the 

 former a capsule, in the latter a berry. 



Very few species of the Heath Type are of economic 

 importance, though many are exceedingly beautiful, and 

 universal favourites in cultivation ; amongst the rest are 

 the Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Kalmias, and the elegant 

 species of Heath introduced from the Cape of Good 

 Hope. 



Some species of the Vaccinium Sub-type afford a use- 

 ful fruit, as Bilberry and Cranberry ( V. Oxy coccus). j 



