138 Introductory View of the 
disseminated over various parts of the country. The seed- 
vessel is crowned by the calyx, which is red, of one leaf, tubular 
at the base, with the upper part (botanic: ally termed the limb) 
divided into four segments, between w hich are inserted the 
four petals, which are of a paler red. The stamens, four of 
which are longer than the alternate four, are affixed to the 
throat of the calyx (the top of the tube) between the petals: 
the stigma is, In some species, divided into four segments curv- 
ing downwar ds at the extremity, and forming a cross (d); in 
Silene: it is obtuse and undivided. The two handsomest of 
our native species are E. angustifoliam (narrow-leaved), and 
E. hirstitum (hairy); the latter, as commonly as the former is 
rarely, to be found in a wild state; the one a frequent inhabit- 
ant in shady lanes, the other generally cultivated in flower- 
gardens, where it spreads but too quickly; are rivals in 
elegance and beauty. The other species are smaller, but none 
are deficient in beauty. 
Among the yellow flowers, many of which are seen upon 
every bank, and which are usually passed by as the least 
interesting snd handsome, is one which the most accurate 
description could scarcely distinguish from the commonest ; 
but which stands among them as a queen of beauty among 
ordinary mortals, Chlora (green) per- 
foliata (through the leaf). The species 
of plants are usually determined by 
characters not included in the fructi- 
fication: this is distinguished by its 
leaf, which has the appearance of two 
ego-shaped leaves cut straight off and 
united at the base, allowing the stem 
to pass through the middle ; hence the 
plant is termed perfoliate. (jig. 27. a) 
The stem is a foot or more in height, 
bearing a panicle of star-shaped flowers, S 
of a clear bright yellow, with Beale 
stigmas ; harmonising admirably with 
the glaucous hue of the leaves. 
Of the Vaccinium, an extensive, and chiefly an American 
genus, we have four native species, well known by the young 
peasantry, who strip them of their berries; which they eat 
either with milk and sugar, or in puddings, jellies, &c. ‘The 
bilberry (V. Myrtillus) is a delicate little shrub with red 
Bbgec: ; this and the bleaberry (V. uliginosum) are deciduous 
(shedding their leaves in winter; from the Latin, decidere, to 
fall), the other British species are evergreen. ‘The cow-berry 
(V. Vitis Idea) has a bitter fruit, which, after a few hours’ 
