HEATH, Erica, a genus of small shrubs of the natural order erice (q.v.), distinguished by a calyx of four leaves, a bell-shaped or ovate—often ventricose—corolla, and a 4-celled, 4-valved capsule, with dissepiments from the middle of the valves. The leaves arc small, linear, and evergreen. The genus, as thus defined, has been broken down by some botanists into a number of genera, but the old name, erica, is still more com monly retained. The name heath, however, is, in popular language, extended to many plants of genera nearly allied to erica; and the little shrub which chiefly covers the large tracts named moors or heaths (Ger. hai(le) in Britain and on the continent of Europe is callitna sulgaris. The genus calluna has been separated from erica, chiefly on account of differences in the capsule, and of the presence of four bracts resembling an outer calyx. C. vulgaris the common LING or HEATHER, is the only species known. It is found on arid places, and also iu bogs. The flowers have much the appearance of being in spikes; they are of a lilac rose-color, rarely white. The various depth of color in the flowers of different plants adds' much to the beauty of a hillside covered with heath in the end of Aug. The flowers afford abundance of honey, and bee-hives are therefore transported to the moors when the heather is in bloom. In bogs, it contributes much to the formation of peat. In some of the Hebrides, a decoction of heath is used for tanning leather. The plant is applied to various other uses in the Highlands of Scot land. Cottages are often thatched with it, and some of the poorest are mostly built of it, in layers with the roots inward, and mixed with earth and straw. Beds are also
made of it, placed in a sloping direction, with the tops upwards, and are said to be very soft and elastic. Besoms and scrubbing-brushes are made of it. In the island of Islay, ale is made by brewing one part of malt and two of the young tops of heather; and this is supposed to be the same beverage which was anciently used by the Picts.—Of the genus erica, about 500 species are known; and these, with few exceptions, are natives of the s. of Africa. None are found in America. The British isles produce seven spe cies, of which some have only been found in Ireland, and some in the s.w. of England, CROSS-LEAVED DEATH (E. tetralix) and FINE-LEAVED HEATH (E. cinerea) are common plants in most parts of Britain, and like most of the genus, are very beautiful when in flower. The of Scottish song are the flowers of one or both of these species. A sprig of E. cinerea was the badge of the Macdonalds at the time when they existed as a distinct clan. E. Mediterranea and E. carnea, common in the southern parts of Europe, are very frequent ornaments of British flower-borders, hardy plants, producing their flowers in great profusion in April. Many species, remarkable for the size and beauty of their flowers, are much cultivated in green-houses; and heath-houses are some times erected for the special purpose of their cukivatiou. Some of the, south African or Cape heaths attain in their native region a nuiab greater size than ahYEuropean heath except E. arborea, which in the Pyrenees sometimes grows to the 'height of twenty feet.