CLASS OCTANDEIA. 
153 
ce(B^ the characters of which are, four petals dhom the calyx, 
stamens inserted in the same manner and equal or double 
the number of petals ; the fruit a capsule or berry. To the 
same artificial class and order, as well as to the same natu- 
ral order, belongs the willow-herb {Epilohi%om\ a branching 
plant, with red flowers and feathery seeds. The cranberry 
{OxycocGus) also belongs to the same natural family, but having 
ten stamens, is placed in the class Decandria. The fruit of the 
cranberry consists of large scarlet berries which contain tar- 
taric acid ; flowers white, with a four-toothed calyx, and corolla 
four-parted. It is found in swamps in various parts of JSTorth 
America. The ladies' ear-drop, Fuschsia (Fig. 139), is a beau- 
tiful exotic of the same artificial class and natural family. R 
has a funnel-form calyx, in some species of a brilliant red color ; 
the petals almost concealed by the calyx are purple and rolled 
round the stamens which are long, extending themselves beyond 
the colored calyx. This plant is a native of Mexico and South 
America, except one species, from the island of New Zealand. 
Some of the species of this genus bear edible fruits ; the wood 
of some is employed in Brazil in dyeing. 
208. The heath {Erica) is not known to be indigenous to this 
country ; many species have been introduced. The common 
heath {Erica cinerea) has bell-form flowers, small and delicate^ 
with the color pink, or varying into other colors ; the flowers 
intermixed with the delicate green leaves produce a fine eftect. 
The kind of soil necessary to the growth of the heath is the 
peat earth so common in England and Scotland, in which 
countries this plant abounds ; thus Scott says of his " Lady of 
the Lake," 
" A foot more light, a step more true, 
Ne'er from the heath-flower brushed the dew." 
In the Highlands of Scotland the poor make use of the heath 
to thatch the roofs of their cottages ; their beds are also made 
of it. The field in which this plant grows is termed a heath or 
heather. 
" The Erica here. 
That o'er the Caledonian hills sublime 
Spreads its dark mantle, where the bees delight 
To seek their purest honey, flourishes ; 
Sometimes with bells like amethysts, and then 
Paler and shaded, like the maiden's cheek, 
With gradual blushes ; other while as white 
As frost that hangs upon the wintry spray." 
The Erica is the type of a large natural order, the Ericacem ; 
which includes the Arbutus, the edible wintergreen, Gaulthe 
ria ; and the bitter wintergreen, Pyrola. 
* The common French name for the evening primrose is Onagre, 
Ladies' ear-drop.— 208. H©atli~Tlie Ericaceie. 
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