HEATH. 279 



heath. Boethius relates that this liquor was 

 much used by the Picts. The cottagers of 

 heathy commons cut the turf with the heath 

 on it, and after drying it, stack it for the fuel 

 of their hearth and their oven. Bees collect 

 largely both honey and wax from the flowers 

 of the heath, but it is generally of a dark co- 

 lour. Grouse feed principally on the seeds 

 of the wild heath, for the seed-vessels are 

 formed so as to protect the seeds for a whole 

 year. 



Cattle are not fond of heath, although goats 

 and sheep will sometimes eat the tender 

 shoots. 



t 4 



