OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 89 



the top upwards. " In this manner," says BUCHANAN, 

 " they form a bed so pleasant, that it may vie in softness 

 with the finest down, while in salubrity it far exceeds it ; 

 for heath, naturally possessing the power of absorption, 

 drinks up the superfluous moisture, and restores strength 

 to the fatigued nerves, so that those who lie down languid 

 and weary in the evening, arise in the morning vigorous 

 and sprightly." 



126. ERICA. 



J. E. tetralix, leaves fringed, four in a whorl; flowers in round 

 tufis ; corolla ovate ; style nearly concealed ; anthers horned. 

 Cross-leaved Heath. 



Hab. Boggy places air moors. July, Aug. Fj 



2. E. cinerea, leaves three in a whorl, smooth ; flowers in ra- 

 ther long whorled clusters ; corolla ovate ; style a little promi- 

 nent ; anthers crested ; stigma capitate. Fine-leaved Heath. 



Hab. Dry heaths abundant. July, Aug. Fj 



" In the deserts and moors of this realm," says BOETHIUS, 

 t; grows an herb named Heather, very nutritive to beasts, 

 birds, and especially to bees. In the month of June it 

 produces a flower of purple hue, as sweet as honey. Of 

 this flower the Picts made a delicious and wholesome li- 

 quor. The manner of making it has perished with the 

 extermination of the Picts, as they never showed the 

 craft of making it, except to their own blood." 



" Sweet, modest flower, in lonely deserts dun, 

 Retiring still for converse with the sun, 

 Whose sweets invite the soaring lark to stoop , 

 And from thy cells the honied dew-bells scoop ! 

 Though unobtrusive all thy beauties shine, 

 Yet boast, thou rival of the purpling vine ! 

 For once thy mantling juice was seen to laugh 

 In pearly cups, which monarchs loved to quaff; 

 And frequent wake the wild inspired lay, 

 On Teviot's hills, beneath the Pictish sway." 



LBYDEN. 



