HEATHER OF ECONOMIC PLANTS. 207 



Europe and Western Asia, and is common about Jerusalem, 

 especially on the Mount of Olives, where its fruit is collected 

 for preserves. 



Hay. — In this country various grasses are cultivated for Hay, 

 the principal being Lolium perenne, L. italicum, Phleum pra- 

 tense, Foa pratense, Cynosurus cristatus, and other fodder grasses 

 that grow spontaneously in pasture lands ; also, Anthoxanthum 

 odoratum, the sweet-scented vernal grass. It is this that con- 

 tains the principle called Coumarin, which imparts the smell to 

 new Hay. 



Hazel and Filbert Nuts {Conjhts Avellana), a bushy shrub of 

 the Oak family (Cupuliferse), throwing up straight rod-like stems, 

 growing wild in woods throughout this country, as also in the 

 temperate parts of Europe, as well as in Western and Northern 

 Asia. The specific name Avellana is derived from the name of 

 a place in Italy, where large quantities are grown for exporta- 

 tion. The great supply of the finest nuts comes from Spain, 

 and are called Barcelona Nuts. About 140,000 bushels are 

 recorded to have been imported before 1870, the quantity had 

 then increased to 294,236 bushels. 



Heart's-ease. {See Violet.) 



Heather, also called Ling, names in Scotland for the common 

 heath {Erica \Calluna\ vulgaris), a small-leaved shrub, the type of 

 the Heath family (Ericaceae). It covers extensive tracts of hills 

 and moors in this country, and also more especially in Scotland. 

 It is also abundant in many other parts of Europe, and is highly 

 important as a fodder plant for cattle, especially in winter. It 

 is, however, astringent, and not very nutritive ; and it is said to 

 impart a red colour to the milk of cows, and that the flesh of 

 sheep fed on it is richer than that of those fed on grass alone. 

 Moor-fowl feed on the young shoots. Heather forms an import- 

 ant article in the domestic and rural economy of the people, 

 being employed for thatching and lining houses. Layers of heath 

 are also used as beds, as well as for making brooms, scrubbing- 

 brushes, ropes, baskets, and the like. The young tops yield 

 a yellow dye, which gives colour to woven fabrics. The flowers 



