THE HEATHER LY AMERICA. 



ing the place a second time, some weeks later, we 

 found the fence had been repaired, showing the watch- 

 ful care of some interested person over this rare plant. 

 The shrubs were mostly in advanced fruit, although 

 a few of their pretty rose-colored flowers still lingered 

 as a sample of their beauty a few months before. 



"In the thirty-eight years which have elapsed 

 since public attention was first called to the Heather 

 in this locality, the area of its growth has been much 

 reduced, judging from the description published at 

 the time, and that it is still in existence is doubtless 

 due to the protection which has been afforded it. 

 Since its discovery here several other stations have 

 been found for the Heather in New England. It has 

 been reported from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, from West 

 Andover, Townsend, and Nantucket, Massachusetts, 

 and also from Rhode Island. 



"In most of these locations careful investigation 

 has failed to prove its introduction by human agency, 

 and this has led numerous writers on the subject to 

 claim for it an indigenous origin. Although its early 

 history in New England is shrouded in obscurity, and 

 desirable as it would be to place the Heather on our 

 list of native plants, it might be said, after a careful 

 reading of the literature of the subject, that no satis- 

 factory evidence has accumulated during the years 

 that have passed since its discovery on this continent 

 to substantiate its claim as a plant native to America. 



"The circumstances that in some instances, as at 



Townsend, Mass., it has been traced to the planting 



of seed, and especially the fact that although many 



wild regions in America seem favorable for its de- 



46 



