THE HEATHER 167 



The only thing that can be said for the 

 craze is, that it does not hurt anyone else, and 

 probably results in certain indirect benefits. 

 The flush removed from the heather may be 

 confidently looked for in the cheek of the 

 searcher. 



These are the only heathers within reach or 

 sight, or for miles around. Indeed there are only 

 three heathers in Scotland ; unless I include the 

 trailing azalea on the ridge overhead, and the yew- 

 leaved menziesia confined to the Sow of Atholl. 

 But these, though belonging to the same family, 

 and somewhat resembling them in outside appear- 

 ance, are not heaths in any strict sense, but moun- 

 tain plants. 



The whole three have been adopted, once and for 

 all, by different Highland clans; from which it 

 appears that these interesting Celts believe them 

 to be distinctive of their elevated regions. I 

 remember an Edinburgh student who wore an 

 eagle's feather in his cap ; and it was said that he 

 alone had a right to it, because he was the son of 

 a chief. Since eagles have been bartered by High- 

 land chiefs for grouse, the prejudice ought not to 

 be quite so strong. In some such hostile spirit the 

 favoured tribes may regard any unauthorised 



