187. The Barberry bush (Berberis vulgaris, L. ; Hex andria Monogynia ; Berberidee, Juss.) is a native of vari ous parts of this country ; and is figured in " English Botany," t. 49. The fruit is in considerable demand for preserving ; and the berries of the variety without stones are 'prepared for this purpose. If planted in good soil, and pruned somewhat in the manner of gooseberry-bushes, barberry plants yield both larger bunches and larger ber ries. In the shrubbery, while in flower, they are orna mental ; and the sensitive stamina may afford entertain ment ; for when the anthem are ready, if the bottom of the filament be irritated with the point of a knife or a straw, the stamen rises with a sudden jerk, and strikes the anthers against the pistillum. In autumn, the scarlet fruit makes a fine appearance.
188. The Elder (Sambucus nigra, L. ; Pentandria Tri gynia ; Caprifoliacece of Ventenat,) is a well known native tree, figured in English Botany, t. 476. In Scotland it is called Bourt•ee. Elder berries may be included in the list of native fruits ; for they arc still sometimes gathered for the making of elder wine.
189. The Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia, L. ; Icosan dria Trigynia ; Rosaced, Juss.; Eng. Bot. t. 337.) is per haps the most ornamental native tree we possess. It is .deservedly planted in pleasure grounds ; its foliage, flow ers, and berries being all beautiful in succession, and the whole tree forming a fine object. Roanberrics arc still held in some esteem in the Highlands of Scotland, and in \Vales; and in both countries, the boughs of the tree arc tised in many superstitious ceremonies.
190. Of the genus Rubus, the taspherry has been already mentioned. The Common bramble (I?. fruticosus, L.; Eng. Bot. t. 715.) may be added as one of our native fruits, and not one of the worst. The Stone bramble, (B. saxatilie, Eng. But. t. 2233.) is another : In Scotland, the fruit has a distinct name, Roebuck-berry. Cloud-berries, or knot berries, (the fruit of B. chanzeenorus, Eng. Bot. t. 716.) are perhaps the most grateful and useful kind of fruit gathered by the Scots Highlanders : on the sides and near the bases of the mountains, it may be collected for several months in succession. It is not cultivated without difficulty, and it very seldom yields its fruit in a garden. With this may be coupled the Dwarf crimson bramble, (R. arcticus, Eng. Bat. t. 1585.) This is found only on the highest and wildest mountains of Scotland. The berry is excel lent ; but it is not easily obtained in sufficient quantity ; for though the plant grows freely in gardens, and shews its flowers, it rarely produces its fruit in low situations.
191. Of the cranberry (Vaccinium, L.; Octandria Mo nogynia ; Ericte•, Juss.) there are various species, three of
them native; but the most important is a transatlantic spe cies, which however we may be excused for introducing in this place. It is called the smooth-stemmed American cranberry, (V. macrocarpon.) This is an addition made within these few years to our list of cultivated fruits. The plant was indeed known ; but the opinion given in Miller's Dictionary was general, that a they can only be cultivated for curiosity in gardens, for they will not thrive much, nor produce fruit, out of their native swamps and bogs." To the indefatigable Sir Joseph Banks, we are indebted for pointing out the practicability of cultivating it for use. Wherever there is a pond, the margin may, at a trifling expence, be fitted for the culture of this plant, and it will continue productive for many years. All that is necessary is to drive in a few stakes, two or three feet within the margin of the pond, and to place some old boards within these, so as to prevent the soil of the cran berry bed from falling into the water: then to lay a parcel of small stones or rubbish in the bottom, and over it peat or bog earth to the depth of about three inches above, and seven inches below the usual surface of the water. In such a situation the plants grow readily ; and if a few be put in, they entirely cover the bed in the course of a year or two, by means of their long runners, which take root at different points. From a very small space, a very large quantity of cranberries may be gathered ; and they prove a remarkably regular crop, scarcely affected by the state of the weather, and not subject to the attacks of insects.
192. The native species of Vaccinium, which afford ber ries in the highlands of \Vales and Scotland, are the fol lowing. The Common cranberry, or moss berry, (V. oxy coccos, Eng. Bot. t. 319.) Great quantities of this berry are gathered in upland marshes and turfy bogs, both in England and Scotland. The berries are made into tarts, and have much the same flavour as the Russian imported cranberries, or those procured by cultivation. The Bil berry, blaebcrry, or whortleberry, (V. myrtillus, Eng. Bot. t. 456.) is gathered in autumn for making tarts: in Devon shire the berries are eaten with clotted cream : in the Highlands of Scotland, they are sometimes eaten with milk, but more commonly made into jellies. The Red bilberry, or Cowberry, (V. vitis ithea, Eng. Bot. t. 598,) is acid and rather bitter, and decidedly inferior to the cran berry. • It makes, however, a very good rob or jelly, which in Sweden is eaten with aU kinds of roast meat, and forms a sauce for venison, which is thought superior to cur rant jelly.