Oxy coccus macrocarpus. 59 



but particularly on the vernal rumuli, which produce the flowers — 

 oval-oblong, smooth, obtuse, flat; the margin recurved, and in the 

 older leaves distinctly marked by about four serratiform indentures, 

 scarcely deserving the appellation of serrulations ; divided in the 

 middle above and more conspicuously beneath, by the costa, from 

 which the veins run transversely to the margin. The young or ver- 

 nal leaves are narrower than the older ones of the preceding year, 

 and tufted at their apices by loose pubescence. They are all of a sap- 

 green above, and glaucous or celandine-green underneath. Flowers 

 generally in pairs about an inch or an inch and a half asunder, 

 and supported, towards the termination of the vernal branches, by 

 erect, reddish, bibracteate, pubescent peduncles, suddenly bent near 

 the ends: thus, together with the calix and flower-bud, giving 

 them the appearance of a crane's head and neck. Bracts acute 

 and pubescent. Segments of the corolla linear-lanceolate, recurved 

 towards the calix, channelled, white, delicately tinged towards their 

 apices with carmine, and maculated with the same hue on the back. 

 Calix pubescent. Pedicels of the berries nutant or arcuate. Flowers 

 continuing to expand until immature berries are produced on the 

 same stem. Immature berries celandine-green and yellowish. Ripe 

 berries generally of a fine carmine colour, but often light and speck- 

 led with dark-red. They vary in shape from round to oval-oblong — 

 the commonest form is that represented in the plate. They are a lit- 

 tle acerb and very acid. — Grows in morasses and swamps of rich 

 boggy bottoms, and covered with sphagnum, from Labrador to Caro- 

 lina — Pursh says, in sandy bottoms and on high mountains. Where 



