369 
Scientific Intelligence. — Botany. 
123* Notice regarding the Boletus igniarius . — An individual 
plant of Boletus igniarius was remarkable for its enormous size, 
and the fleshy nature of its substance. After a large circular in- 
cision had been made in it, the two edges were united by the 
first intention, and were readily consolidated. Still farther, a 
portion of the fungus cut off and left on the ground for two 
days, was applied to a newly cut portion of the Boletus. The 
union took place as well as in the former case ; and the sepa- 
rated part could only be known by the cicatrix. — Amer> Journ . 
of Sciences and Arts . 
24. Naturalization and cultivation of the Larger -fruited Vac - 
cinium . — Various species of the genus Vaccinium are common 
in the woods and moist places of the north of Europe. The 
species known in France by the name of Lucet , in England 
Bilberry or Whortie-berry, and among botanists by that of 
Vaccinium myrtillus , occurs in the neighbourhood of Paris, 
in the wood of Montmorency. It is very common in Lor- 
raine, where it is eaten in large quantities, especially by the 
poorer classes. Its fruit is much smaller than that of the 
large-fruited vaccinium. It is gathered in the woods, and 
eaten fresh, or it is preserved through the whole year, after 
having been dried in the sun, or in an oven, or even in the 
shade. The best manner of preparing it is in pastry. It is 
used in tarts, instead of cherries, gooseberries or prunes. It re- 
quires to have a little sugar added, to conceal the styptic or acrid 
taste peculiar to it. Some people season it with honey, others 
eat it in milk. It is also employed for making preserves, pud- 
dings, he. It is of great use on voyages. It is used in Ger- 
many for colouring wines, and forms, in this respect, a consider- 
able article of commerce. It is also steeped in eau-de-vie. The 
Laplanders esteem this berry highly ; it is, however, much in- 
ferior to the Ruhus Chamcemorus , which travellers mention their 
having eaten with much relish, during their stay among the Nor- 
wegian Laplanders. There are seven or eight species of vacci- 
nia which furnish an article of food to man, besides being ap- 
plied to other economical purposes ; but the species whose cul- 
tivation has been introduced into England, is in every respect 
preferable to the others. It is designated by botanists under 
the name of Vaccinium macrocarjmm : its fruit was long known 
to the English, who annually brought a considerable quantity of 
