THE CRANBERRY FAMILY. 



329 



on the stem. Corolla urceolate, tubular, or deeply cleft and 

 spreading, toothed or lobed. Stamens 4, 8 or 10, epi- 

 gynous. Fruit a berry, crowned with the withered calyx. 



The general habit and nature of this family shows it to be 

 intimately related to the Heath Family, but differing in the 

 important character of the corolla being superior, thus 

 showing that the adoption of a special character for classifi- 

 cation is not always favourable to the union of families 

 otherwise naturally related; and as Vacciniacese does not 

 associate well with the following families, I deem it best to 

 consider it as naturally part of the Heath alliance. 



About 200 species are recorded. They are widely distri- 

 buted over the temperate countries of Europe, Asia, and 

 America ; also found in the Andean regions of South 

 America, but none in Africa or the south temperate 

 zone. 



Bilberry or Blaeberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus), Whortleberry 

 (F. uliginosum). Small branching shrubs, about a foot in 

 height. They occupy vast tracts in bogs and moorlands, 

 and even the tops of mountains throughout Europe and 

 North America. Their berries are blueish, about the size 

 of currants, and afford abundance of food for moorfowl; 

 they are somewhat austere, but are used as a preserve for 

 tarts, &c. 



Cowberry {Vaccinium vitis-idcea). A neat, tufty evergreen 

 shrub, having leaves resembling box-tree leaves. It grows 

 in similar places to the last, and seldom exceeds 6 inches in 

 height. It has abundance of red berries, which are also 

 used for preserves. 



Cranberry (Faccmmw oxycoccus). This differs from the 

 preceding, being a trailing, slender-stemmed evergreen 

 shrub, with narrow, lanceolate leaves. It generally grows 

 in mountainous districts, and in boggy places in Scotland 

 and Ireland. It differs from the rest of the genus in having 

 its corolla cleft to the base and spreading, which character 

 has led some botanists to separate it as a distinct genus, 

 viz., Oxycoccus palustris. Vaccinium macrocarj)um, of North 



