OTHER AMERICAN PLANTS. 137 



It is easily procured, is very amenable to cultiva- 

 tion, and is well worthy a place in the garden. It 

 belongs to the Sladder family (Rubiaceae). 



Figured in Lodd. Cab. t. 979 ; and Barton, Fl. 

 3, t. 95. 



The Empetrum. 



A plant of the Crowberry family (Empetracese), 

 much resembling a heath, and worthy a place in 

 the collection. It is not an uncommon Alpine on the 

 summits of mountains ; and is abundant on the 

 island in Frenchman's Bay, off Mt. Desert, covering 

 the ground and trailing over the cliffs. 



The foliage is dark green and rather sombre, the 

 flowers inconspicuous, the berries black and orna- 

 mental. 



Botanically,the plant is E. nigrum, or Black Crow- 

 berry. 



Figured in Eng. Bot. 8, t. 526 ; and Bax. Brit. 

 Bot. 6, p. 469. 



The Yaccinium. 



The only plant of this genus desirable for cultiva- 

 tion in the garden is the Cowberry ( V. Vitis-Idaea), 

 a low-growing species, with dark green, shining fo- 

 liage, pretty pink flowers, and showy red berries. 

 As a plant for covering the surface, it is well worthy 

 a place, growing freely and requiring no care. 



In Maine, where this plant is very abundant, the 

 berries are used as cranberries, and are quite 

 palatable. 



