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 (botanically termed the limb) 

 divided into four segments, between which 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 downwards at the extremity, and forming a cross {d)\ in 

 others, it is obtuse and undivided. The two handsomest of 

 our native species are E. angustif51ium (narrow-leaved), and 

 E. hirsutum (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 and 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- 

 forata (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 

 egg-shaped leaves cut straight ofl" and 

 united at the base, allowing the stem 

 to pass through the middle ; hence the 

 plant is termed perfoliate. {,fig' 27. «) 

 The stem is a foot or more in height, 

 bearing a panicle of star-shaped flowers, 

 of a clear bright yellow, with scarlet 

 stigmas ; harmonising admirably with 

 the glaucous hue of the leaves. 

 Of the Faccinium, 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 (F. Myrtillus) is a delicate little shrub with red 

 flowers ; this and the bleaberry (F. uliginosum) are deciduous 

 (shedding their leaves in winter ; from the Latin, decidere^ to 

 fall), the other British species are evergreen. The cow-berry 

 ( V, Fitis Idae^a) has a bitter fruit, which, after a few hours' 



