CLASS OCTANDRIA. 153 



cecB^ the characters of which are, four petals ahove the calyx, 

 stamens inserted in the same manner and equal or double 

 the number of petals ; the fruit a capsule or berry. To the 

 same artificial class and order, as well as to the same natu- 

 ral order, belongs the willow-herb {Epilobium\ a branching 

 plant, with red llowers and feathery seeds. The cranberry 

 \Oxy coccus) also belongs to the same natural family, but having 

 ten stamens, is placed in the class Decandria. The fruit of the 

 cranberry consists of large scarlet berries wdiich contain tar- 

 taric acid ; flowers white, with a four-toothed calyx, and corolla 

 four-parted. It is found in swamps in various parts of North 

 America. The ladies' ear-drop, l^uschsia (Fig. 139), is a beau- 

 tifid exotic of the same artificial class and natural family. It 

 has a funnel-form calyx, in some species of a brilliant red color ; 

 the petals almost concealed by the calyx are purple and rolled 

 round the stamens which are long, extending themselves beyond 

 the colored calyx. This plant is a native of Mexico and South 

 America, except one species, from the island of New Zealand. 

 Some of the species of this genus bear edible fruits ; the wood 

 of some is employed in Brazil in dyeing. 



208. The heath {Ericci) is not known to be indigenous to this 

 country ; many species have been introduced. The common 

 heath {Erica cinerea) has bell-form flowers, small and delicate, 

 with the color pink, or varying into other colors ; the flow^ers 

 intermixed with the delicate green leaves produce a fine eftect. 

 The kind of soil necessary to the growth of the heath is the 

 peat earth so common in England and Scotland, in which 

 countries this plant abounds ; thus Scott savs of his " Lady of 

 the Lake," 



" A foot more light, a step more true, 

 Ne'er from the heath-flower brushed the dew." 



In the Highlands of Scotland the poor make use of the heath 

 to thatch the roofs of their cottages ; their beds are also made 

 of it. The field in which this plant grows is termed a heath or 

 heather. 



" The Erica here, 

 That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime 

 Spreads its dark mantle, where the bees delight 

 To seek their purest honey, flourishes ; 

 Sometimes with bells like amethysts, and then 

 Paler and shaded, Uke the maiden's cheek, 

 Witli gradual blushes ; other while as white 

 As frost that hangs upon the wintry spray." 



The Erica is the type of a large natural order, the Evicacece ; 

 which includes the Arbutus, the edible w^ntergreen, Gaulthe- 

 ria ; and the bitter wintergreen, Pyrola. 



• The common French name for the evening primrose is Onagri, 

 Lndies' ear-drop.— 208. Heath— Tlie Ericaceic 



7* 



