V* 



v 



THE HEATHER -j6 9 



make out the irregular line where it ceases, or 

 fades into the duller shade above. 



The rose heather grows in patches, and no- 

 where covers a great area. It must be sought 

 after by those who desire it, and may be found in 

 almost any moist place up to about two thousand 

 feet. 



That into which the purple fades away is the 

 pink. Hardiest of the three, the ling continues to 

 climb. It alone forms the broad belt of dark 

 shrub, scarcely lit by its blossoms up to the higher 

 alpines. Through it, mainly, one wades for the 

 third thousand feet of the ascent. It is in these 

 higher reaches that the white sprays should be 

 sought for. 



This is the Highland heather, in so far as there 

 is such a thing. The crofter puts it to endless 

 uses, and finds it invaluable. To its services as a 

 broom it is said to owe its name, Calluna, to cleanse. 

 The more poetic rendering, to adorn, refers to the 

 charm it lends to the surroundings. 



The common view, therefore, that Scotland is 

 the natural home of the heaths, because it is so 

 mountainous, is only very partially true. It would 

 be much nearer the truth to say that Scotland 

 marks well-nigh the northernmost limit of the 



