188 
BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
The berries are generally of a bluish black, covered with a fine bloom ; but a variety has been found with white 
berries. The legendary story of the Bilberry is, that CEnomaiis, father of the beautiful Hippodamia, declared 
that no one should marry his daughter who could not conquer him in a chariot race. One of the young lady’s 
suitors bribed Myrtillus, the attendant of OEnomaiis, to take the linch-pin out of his master’s chariot, in 
consequence of which CEnomaiis was killed. Myrtillus, seeing his master dead, repented so bitterly the 
crime he had committed that he threw himself into the sea, and was afterwards changed by Mercury into the 
Whortle-berry, which still retains the name of Myrtillus in memory of the unfortunate youth. 
2. —THE BOG WHORTLE-BERRY, OR GREAT BILBERRY. (Vaccinium uliginosum, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 581; 2nd ed., t. 552. 
Specific Character. —Stalks somewhat aggregate, single-flowered. Leaves obovate, entire, smooth, deciduous. Branches round. (Smith.) 
Description, &c. —The Great Bilberry is abundant on mountainous boggy heaths in the north of England, 
and in the Highlands of Scotland. The flowers, which are smaller than those of the common kind, are very 
pretty, and appear in great abundance in May ; and the berries, which are large, are well-tasted, but are said to 
produce pains in the head and giddiness to those who eat abundantly of them. The plant is more decidedly 
woody than the common Bilberry, and, though more slender in its branches, grows to a greater height. 
* * Leaves evergreen. 
3.— THE COW-BERRY, OR RED WHORTLE-BERRY. (Vaccinium Vitis Idjea, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 598 ; 2nd ed., t. 553. I cave bracteas, longer than the flower-stalks. Leaves obovate, revolute, 
Specific Character. —Clusters terminal, drooping, with ovate con- I minutely toothed; dotted beneath. Corolla bell-shaped. ( Smith.) 
Description, &c. —The Cowberry is abundant on dry, stony heaths and moors, where very few other 
plants will grow. Its leaves resemble those of the box both in colour and texture. Its flowers, which are of a 
delicate flesh-colour, appear in May and June ; and its berries, which are of a rich crimson, are ripe in August. 
This plant is the badge of the clan M‘Leod. 
GENUS II. 
THE CRANBERRY. (Oxycoccus, Rich.) 
Lin. Si/st. OCTANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Calyx toothed. Corolla four-cleft, with reflexed segments. Berry crowned with the persistent calyx, many-seeded,— 
Evergreen trailing shrubs. ( Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —The Oxycoccus has been separated from the Whortle-berry on account of its deeply- 
cleft corolla. It has also very small leaves, and a procumbent habit of growth. The name of Oxycoccus is 
derived from two Greek words, signifying an acid berry ; in allusion to the acid taste of the fruit. The English 
name of Cranberry is said to allude to the fruit, with its stalk, having somewhat the appearance of a crane’s 
neck and head. 
