348 SELECT PLANTS FOE INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



Vaccinium Myrtillus, Linne.* 



The British Whortleberry or Bilberry. Throughout Europe, North 

 and Middle Asia, remotest North America, in heathy and turfy 

 forest land. A shrub, a few feet high or less, deciduous, erect, of 

 great value for its copious supply of berries. They are, as well- 

 known, black with a bluish-grey hue, and of exceedingly grateful 

 taste. The naturalisation of this plant on Alpine ranges and in 

 cooler woodlands would prove a boon. The berries can be utilised 

 for their dye. The whole bush contains quina acid. 



Vaccinium ovalifolium, Smith. 



North- West America from Mendocina to Oregon. This shrub bears 

 large edidle berries (Gibbons). 



Vaccinium ovatum, Pursh. 



Common throughout California, also in British Columbia, at an alti- 

 tude of from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, attaining a height of about 8 feet. 

 It bears its fruit in densely crowded racemes, the dark-blue berries 

 being sometimes four lines in diameter and of good flavour. This 

 species would doubtlessly form a valuable accession among culti- 

 vated fruits (Gibbons). 



Vaccinium Oxycoccus, Linne. (Oxycoccus palustris, Persoon.) 



The British Cranberry. Throughout Europe, North and Middle 

 Asia, North America, on turf moss in moory heaths. A creeping 

 evergreen shrub of particular neatness. The berries give a most 

 agreeable preserve, and are of antiscorbutic value. This species is 

 particularly eligible for the spongy, mossy bogs of snowy mountains. 



Vaccinium parvifolium, Smith. 



North- West America. A tall shrub. The berries are excellent 

 for preserves. 



Vaccinium penduliflorum, Gaudichaud. 



Sandwich Islands, where it is called the " Ohelo." The acidulous 

 berries of this bush are edible. 



Vaccinium Pennsylvanicum, Lamarck.* (V. angustifolium, Aiton.) 



The early Blueberry or Blue Huckleberry. North America, on dry 

 woody hills. A dwarf bush with deciduous foliage, producing fruit 

 in abundance. The berries are large, bluish black, and of sweet 

 taste. V. Canadense (Kalm), according to Dr. Asa Gray, is closely 

 allied. 



Vaccinium prsestans, Rudolphi. 



Kamschatka. A minute plant, but with large delicious fruits. It 

 might perhaps easily be disseminated on Alpine mountains. 



