1 68 Heath (Ericacece) 



they expand, but when full-grown the corolla is of a 

 flesh-color. ... As I contemplated it, I could not 

 help thinking of Andromeda as described by the poets ; 

 and the more I meditated upon their descriptions, the 

 more applicable they seemed to the little plant before me. 

 Andromeda is represented by them as a virgin of most 

 exquisite and unrivalled charms. . . . This plant is 

 always fixed on some little turfy hillock in the midst of 

 the swamps, as Andromeda herself was chained to a rock 

 in the sea, which bathed her feet as the fresh water does 

 the roots of the plant. Dragons and venomous serpents 

 surrounded her, as toads and other reptiles frequent the 

 abode of her vegetable resembler. As the distressed 

 virgin cast down her blushing face through excessive 

 affliction, so does this rosy-colored flower hang its head, 

 growing paler and paler until it withers away. 

 At length comes Perseus in the shape of summer, dries 

 up the surrounding water, and destroys the monsters." 



Fig. 76. Stagger-Bush. A. mariana, L. 



Flowers, about five twelfths of an inch long, nodding in 

 clusters on leafless branchlets. Corolla, somewhat 

 egg-shape, white or pale red. Calyx, about two 

 thirds as long as the corolla, parted nearly to the 

 base. Stamens, two-toothed near the anthers, hairy, 

 without awns. June and July. 



Leaves, one to three inches long, smooth, oval, or oblong, 

 acute at each end or sometimes with the apex rather 

 blunted. 



Fruit, egg-shape, with the narrowed end squared, as 

 though cut off; five-celled, five-angled, many-seeded. 

 Seeds, angular. A capsule. October. 



