24 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



exceptional merit. I have noticed that plants of similar quality, 

 whether as appertaining to a prolific habit or size of fruit, are 

 usually to be found together, and this indicates that such charac- 

 teristics are transmissible b}' seed. The most prolific plant I ever 

 found was growing on a dry rock ; the largest fruited clump of 

 plants extended from a dry upland to and within the borders of a 

 swamp, thus indicating the variety of soil that accommodates this 

 species. It also flourishes in the sunlight and in partial shade. 



It was called Blueberry by Bigelow in 1814 ; Bilberry likewise, 

 and by Torrey in 1843 ; Bilberry or Bullberry by Elliott in 1821 ; 

 Blue Bilberry by Bigelow in 1824 and 1840, Eaton in 1840, 

 Torrey in 1843, and Provancher in 1862 ; Giant Whortleberry by 

 Eaton in 1840 ; Tall Swamp Huckleberry by Torrey in 1843 ; 

 High Blueberry by Provancher in 1862, as also High Whortle- 

 berry and Blue Huckleberry ; Common Blueberry by Gray, 1867 ; 

 Swamp Blueberry by Gray and Fuller in 1867, Robinson in 1880, 

 and Dame and Collins in 1888 ; High Bush Huckleberry by Fuller 

 in 1867 and Emerson, 1875 ; Swamp Huckleberry by Emerson, 

 1875 ; Common High Blueberry by Wood, 1875, and High Bush 

 Blueberry by Robinson, 1880, the preferable name. 



The variety atrococcum is called Black Bilberry by Bigelow in 

 1824 and 1840 ; and Black High Bush Huckleberry by Fuller in 

 1867. 



4. Vaccinium myrtilloides, Hook. Gray, Man., ed. 5, 291, 



Syn. Fl., 2, 1, 24. 

 Synonyme, Vaccinium myrtilloides, partly, Hook., Fl., 2, 32, 



and Bot. Mag., t. 3447 



(excl. Syn. Ait., etc. and 



Tar. rigidum) , not Michx. 



" " membranaceum, Dougl. ined.Torr.,Bot. 



Wilkes's Exp., 377. 

 Damp woods. Lake Superior to the coast of Oregon and British 

 Columbia. 



Hooker says the fruit is much relished by the natives of the 

 North-west Rocky Mountains. T. J. Howell, of Oregon,* says the 

 berries are large, one-half or three-quarters of an inch in diameter, 

 flat, with a broad calyx, of good flavor and in every way a good 

 berry. He calls the shrub Large Blue Huckleberry. 



* Case's Bot. Index, 1881, 38. 



