HEATH. 275 



supposed quality of breaking the stone in the 

 bladder. The English name of Heath is evi- 

 dently derived from the German Heide, though 

 some think it is from the Latin Erica. In 

 some parts of England it is called Ling, from 

 the Danish Lyng. In Scotland it is called 

 Hather and Heather. Their Poet of nature 

 says, 



" The moorcock springs, on whirring wings, 

 Among the blooming heather." 



These undershrubs, or miniature trees, be- 

 neath whose roots the jumping rabbit loves to 

 burrow, enliven the dreary common by their 

 violet bells, or empurple the forest-bank by 

 their numerous corollas, which are often hap- 

 pily harmonized by the cheerful broom. 



(i A heath's green wild lay pleasant to his view, 



With shrubs and field-flowers deck'd, of varied hue; 

 There hawthorns tall their silver bloom disclosed, 

 Here flexile broom's bright yellow interposed." 



The foliage of the heath is evergreen, and of 

 various and beautiful shapes, which, on inspec- 

 tion, is found as pleasing as its singular blos- 

 soms. It is made the emblem of solitude in 

 the language of flowers ; and thus, when the 

 fond swain presents his mistress with a bou- 

 quet of heath and pansies, she understands his 



t 2 



