824 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



widely distributed over the earth, the genus Erica, of which 

 there are 380 species, forming a feature in the Flora of South 

 Africa, as well as throughout Europe and the North of Asia ; 

 the genus Rhododendron occupying a considerable extent in 

 the Himalaya and elevated regions of the Malayan Archi- 

 pelago, as also in China, Japan, and North America. In the 

 Andean regions of tropical America, Befaria and Andromeda 

 represent the family ; and in Australia and Tasmania, Gaul- 

 theria, A narcotic and poisonous principle pervades this 

 family. 



Heather Ling (Erica vulgaris). This is the common Heath 

 which covers extensive tracts of hills and moors in this country, 

 especially in Scotland, It has no special use except for making 

 heather brooms, thatch, and the like ; the flowers afford ex- 

 cellent honey, and beehives are often carried from the low 

 country to the Heath localities during the flowering season. 



Cape Heaths. At one time the botanical collections in 

 this country contained nearly 200 species of Heaths, but new 

 varieties having been raised by hybridising, which have be- 

 come popular show plants, the less showy species have been 

 neglected. 



The genus Rhododendron consists of a great number of 

 species, varying considerably in habit and size, some being 

 trees with large broad leaves, others trailing, partially epi- 

 phytal shrubs, and others heath-like. All have showy, and 

 many of them splendid flowers. 



Rose Tree (Rhododendron ponticum and R. maxima). The 

 first is a native of Western Asia and the latter of North 

 America, both having been introduced into this country 

 more than one hundred years ago. They are now superseded 

 by numerous fine varieties raised in this country, and of late 

 years a great number of allied species of the same habit of 

 growth have been introduced fi:om Sikkim, Bhootan, Java, 

 &c. But few of them are of sufficient hardiness to bear the 

 open air of this climate. Amongst the Sikkim species are 

 many that form trees of considerable size, of which the 

 R. arboreum is the original type ; it is a native of Nepal, and 



