COMMON LING; or, HEATH. A^ /^$. 



Calluna vidgaris. 



Class OcTANDRiA. Order Monogynia. Nat. Ord. Erice^. 

 Heath Tkibe. 



The name of tliis genus is taken from a 

 Greek word signifying to cleanse, on account 

 of tlie common use of its twigs in making 

 brooms. 



No one avIio lias looked upon heath lands 

 during summer, will deny that they are indeed 

 rendered attractive by this plant. The gathered 

 flowers will long retain their brightness, and 

 when placed in the herbarium, look, after a 

 lapse of years, almost as fresh and gay as when 

 blooming among the Purze and Broom of the 

 wide tract whence they were taken. Clare 

 alludes to the permanent beauty both of flower 

 and foliage. 



" How oft, tbougli grass and moss are seen 

 Taim'd bright for want of flowers, 

 Still keeps the Ling its darksome green, 

 Thick set with little flowers." ^ 



There is but one specif, which is to be 



found, from^ June to August, in flower on 



1 almost every heath, forming a low tufted shrub, 



