CALLUNA VULGARIS, A NATIVE. 37 



plants occur sprinkled over a surface of perhaps half an acre ; there may be 

 in all about twenty or more old plants, some, allowing for the slow growth of 

 the plant, from ten to twenty years old, others much younger. The surface of 

 the ground is varied by little hummocks, and is covered with a short close 

 grass, interspersed with numerous plants of Kalmia angustifolia, Spirea tomen- 

 tosa, Andromeda calyculata, Azalea viscosa, Myrica Gale, &c. A rapid 

 brook bounds one side of this field, its banks densely fringed with the com- 

 mon Alder, (Alnus incana,) of which plants are sparingly scattered over the 

 whole field ; in several cases the Heather was found overgrown and shaded by 

 these shrubs. The common Cranberry ( Vaccinium macrocarpon) occurs some- 

 what abundantly in the immediate vicinity of the Heather, usually most so in 

 the depressions, while the Heather occurs on the hummocks. From appear- 

 ances, overflows of the brook are not of unfrequent occurrence, when the 

 greater part of the field would be submerged, and as the field is surrounded 

 by low ground and ditches, a moderate freshet would convert it into an island. 

 At the time of the visit of the Committee, owing to the continued drought of 

 the past summer, the whole field was parched, and the brook very low. The 

 soil is a sandy peat, just that in which one would expect to find such a plant, 

 and admirably adapted for the growth of Ericas. The Committee explored 

 the stream on both sides for some distance, but a heavy rain coming on pre- 

 vented a more satisfactory examination. They also searched for young plants, 

 and found a multitude of seedlings from one to two years old, and a few some- 

 what larger. The plants were in full bloom, and presented a most pleasing 

 sight. 



About a week later a Sub-committee visited the spot, and made explorations 

 for several miles up and down the stream, on both banks, but without finding 

 any further traces of the existence of the Heather. 



The Committee, unable to believe the plant indigenous, started many theo- 

 ries to account for its introduction. 



Of the existence of the plant in a wild state there was no doubt. A more 

 unlikely place for it to have been planted could scarcely be found. The 

 question was, Whence came it ? The first theory was, it was planted there. 

 In support of this it was suggested that a Scotchman (Mr. Sutton) who lived 

 near by might in some way have brought and sowed the seed ; but at an 

 interview had with Mr. Sutton he denied all knowledge of the plant till within 

 a few years ; said he had never had any Heather seed in his possession, had 

 never received any parcels from Scotland, or done anything in any way by 

 which the plant could have been introduced ; that he was as much astonished 

 as delighted when, some ten years before, he had discovered the plant, which 

 he at once recognized as the " Scotch Heather," and each year since has 

 gathered it, when in blossom, to adorn his house. On being further pressed 

 by one of the Committee, as to the possibility of its being introduced by him, 

 he indignantly replied, " Wuld' na I hae been a fool, man, to sow it on another 

 man's land, when my own, as good, would hae' grown it as well ?" Mr. 



