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WHORTLE-BERRY. VACCINIUM ; 



Often called HURTS, or HURTLE-BERRY, and 

 BILBERRY. 



Natural order, Bicornes. A genus of the Octandria 

 Monogynia class. 



THIS berry was called Vaccinium by Virgil as well as 

 Pliny, to which modern authors add Myrtillus, because 

 the old German physicians and apothecaries mistook it 

 for a true species of myrtle. 



There are several varieties of this fruit, -some of which 

 are black, others red, and some white. The whortle shrub 

 is a native of this country, and grows on most of our wild 

 heathy commons and uncultivated hills : it is found on 

 Portland heath, the highest spot in Norfolk, and in great 

 abundance on Leith Hill, which is the most elevated part 

 of Surrey. The fruit seldom reaches the London market, 

 although it is much admired by many people either in 

 tarts or with cream. The berries are gathered by the 

 children of the cottagers, and by them carried to the 

 nearest market-towns, and often in quantities that load 

 several asses. 



The Highlanders eat them with milk, and make them 

 into tarts and jellies, which last they mix with whiskey 

 to give it a relish to strangers. 



The variety with white berries was discovered by the* 

 Duke of Athol in the woods about midway between his 

 two seats of Dunkeld and Blair. 



