THE HEATHER. 177 



tively borne by different families ; the ling (calluna 

 vulgdris) by the Macdonells, the cross-leaved 

 heath (G. tetralix) by the Macdonalds, and the fine- 

 leaved heath (G. cinerea) by the Macallisters, yet it 

 was very probably at first, simply and generally a 

 highland emblem handed down from bygone days, 

 when perhaps, in the words of Scott, 



" The heath-bell with her purple bloom 

 Supplied the bonnet and the plume ;" 



when the same wreath that shaded the dark moun- 

 tain's brow, encircled those of all her hardy sons in 

 lieu of a more artfully constructed head-piece, thus 

 mingling both use and ornament. But, even now, 

 the mountaineer may well retain as his badge a 

 plant, which is so eminently serviceable to him in 

 the economic details of his daily life. The heather- 

 branches, freshly gathered, and arranged in such a 

 manner that the elastic tips of the shoots form a 

 level surface, constitute his couch, a bed such as that 

 described by Scott : 



" Before the heath had lost the dew 

 This morn, a couch was pulled for you 

 On yonder mountain's purple head." 



And again : 



" The stranger's bed 

 Was there of mountain heather spread." 



Heather, in alternate layers, with a mortar com- 

 posed of straw and black earth, forms the walls 

 of his cabin ; heather makes the thatch which 

 covers the roof, and this again is bound down 



I 3 



