ERICETALS. 419 
The Ericace® or Heaths (Fig. 410), are small trees, shrubs, or 
under-shrubs, with rigid evergreen leaves, whorled or opposite, and 
without stipules. Some few species are natives of Europe; several 
of the genera, such as the Heaths, Lings, Azaleas, Andromeda, 
and Arbutus, having representatives in the British Flora. But the 
country of the Heaths is the Cape of Good Hope, where immens® 
tracts of country are covered with them. rica cinerea and 
Calluna vulgaris abound in central France, and round Paris. 
The Tree Heath (Erica arborea) belongs to the region of the 
Mediterranean, overshading all other Heaths by its height, which 
sometimes reaches to sixteen or eighteen feet. Its flowers are nume-_ 
tous, and their sweet odour diffuses itself to a great distance. The 
Broom Heath (Erica scoparia), which is found in the North, West, 
and South, takes its name from the humble use to which it is ap- 
plied ; it grows in woods, and in sterile and uncultivated lands. 
The Heaths have regular flowers ; the calyx is monosepalous, and 
divided into four parts, the separation being 
generally slight ; the corolla varies in form, 
globulous or pitcher-shape, to tubular, 
bell, or rather patera-shaped, presenting four 
- lobes alternating with the divisions of the 
_ alyx. The corolla does not, as is usual, 
_ tarry the eight stamens which compose the 
andreeceum ; these are inserted upon the re- 
_ Ceptacle. The pistil is composed of a superior 
Ovary surmounted by a very erect style, and 
_ 4stigma in the form of acup. The ovary is 
four-celled, and in the internal angle of the 
- Placenta the fruit is placed, charged with 
_ ‘hatropal ovules. The fruit is capsular, open- 
_ lg dorsally. The seeds are oval, reticulated, 
having an erect embryo in a fleshy albumen. 
se Along with the ,Epacrids and Heaths, are 
_ Tanged the Azaleas, Kalmias, and Rhodo- 
| dendrons, producing flowers unequalled for 
a their beauty in the whole vegetable world. 
2 richness of colouring, elegance and 
vaniety of form, delicacy of texture, and Fig. 410.—Heath blossom. 
minute microscopic perfection . corolla, the Heaths stand 
oe EE 
