392 ERICACEAE. 



** Leaves evergreen ; anthers without bristles. 



3. V. Vitis Idcea (Ked Whortleberry, Cowberry). 

 Leaves inversely egg-shaped, dotted beneath, the margins 

 rolled back ; flowers, in terminal drooping clusters. 

 Mountainous heaths in the north. A low straggling 

 shrub, with leaves resembling those of the Box. The 

 flowers are pink, with 4 deep lobes ; the berries rec(. 

 Fl. May, June. Shrub. 



4. V. Oxycoccos (Marsh Whortleberry, Cranberry). 

 Stem very slender, prostrate, rooting ; leaves egg-shaped, 

 glaucous beneath, the margins rolled back ; corolla wheel- 

 shaped, with 4 deep, reflexed segments. Peat-bogs 

 principally in the north. A very low plant, with strag- 

 gling, wiry stems, and solitary terminal, bright red 

 flowers, the segments of which are bent back in a very 

 singular manner. "The fruit is highly agreeable, 

 making the best of tarts ; at Langtown, on the borders 

 of Cumberland, it forms no inconsiderable article of 

 trade." (Sir W. J. Hooker.) Fl. June. Shrub. 



ORD. L. EKICACE^E. THE HEATH TRIBE. 



Calyx 4 5 cleft, nearly equal, inferior, remaining 

 till the fruit ripens'; corolla of one petal 4 5 cleft, often 

 withering and remaining attached to the plant; stamens 

 equal in number to the segments of the corolla, or twice 

 as many, inserted with the corolla, or only slightly 

 attached to its base ; anthers hard and dry, the cells 

 separating at one extremity, where they are furnished 

 with bristles or some other appendage, opening by pores : 

 ovary not adhering to the calyx, surrounded at the base 

 by a disk or by scales, many-celled, many-seeded ; style, 

 1, straight ; stigma 1 ; fruit a berry or dry capsule, 

 many-seeded. Shrubs or small bushy trees with ever- 

 green, often rigid, opposite or whoiied leaves. This 

 well-known and highly prized Order contains a large 

 number of beautiful plants, many of which are remark- 



