ERICACE^J. 25 
with an inconspicuous network of veins, but without glandular 
dots, glabrous. Flowers droopmg, solitary, from the axils of leaves 
on the shoots of the year. Peduncles 1-flowered, rather slender, 
shortj curved close to the base (where there are deciduous ovate 
hooded bracts), destitute of bracteoles, glabrous or pubcrulcnt. 
Calyx-limb nearly entire, glabrous. Corolla globular - urceolate, 
with 5 very short reflexed teeth. Anther-cells produced into short 
tubes at the apex, and with 2 curved awns on the back. Berry 
purplish-black, pruinose-glaucous. 
On heaths and in woods, especially in mountainous districts. 
Common, and generally distributed, though scarce in the South- 
cast of England. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Shrub. Early Summer. 
Stem G inches to 2 feet high, bare of leaves towards the base, 
the younger branches angular. Leaves deciduous, J to 1 inch long, 
rather flaccid, shining, with the veins apparent beneath but by 
nomeans prominent or discolorous. Flowers appearing with the 
young leaves, rose, tinged with green. Calyx green. Stamens in- 
cluded. Style exserted. Peduncles longer than the corolla. Perry 
about the size of a red currant, globular, somewhat truncate at the 
apex, with a bloom resembling that on the Sloe. Plant glabrous. 
Common Bilberry. 
French, Airdle Anguleuse. German, Gemeine Heidelbeere. 
This well-known shrub is also known as the Bleaberry, and is much admired for 
its pretty bright foliage, and its urn-shaped flowers of a pinkish waxlike appearance. 
The berries which follow them are of a bluish-black colour, covered with a mealy bloom. 
They are used much in the same manner as the fruit of the other species of Vaccinium 
— in tarts or jam, or made into jelly. In Devonshire they are eaten with clotted 
cream ; in Poland they are mixed with wild strawberries, and eaten with new milk as 
a great delicacy. Their juice has been employed to stain paper or linen purple. 
Many kinds of game live upon the berries, but the grouse is especially fond of them. 
Sub-Order II.— ERICINEJE. 
Calyx wholly free from the ovary. Corolla persistent or deci- 
duous, monopetalous, or rarely of 5 to 7 distinct petals. Ovary 
superior, with a hypogynous disk. Anthers 2-celled, opening by 
2 pores (rarely by longitudinal slits), often awned or spurred at 
the base. Pollen-grains united in fours. Eruit a capsule or 
berry. Testa closely investing the seed. 
Shrubs, with green, often evergreen, leaves. 
VOL. VI. E 
