SECT. VI.—BRITISH TREES AND SHRUBS. 41

affected by the sea breeze than any other, is useful to form a shelterin situations where the bleak winds will not admit of trees of more ten-der kinds to flourish.

151. TAXUS baccata. The Yew —Was formerly much esteemedfor making bows : but since those instruments of war and destructionhave given place to the more powerful gun-powder, it is not so muchin request. The wood is *erv hard and durable, and admits of a finepolish. The foliage of Yew is poisonous to cattle, who wUl readily eatit, il cut and thrown in their way in frosty weather.

152. TILIA europxa. The Lime or I.vnden-tree. — Is a very or-namental tree in plantations, and from its early putting forth its leavesis much esteemed. The flowers emit a very fine scent„and the inhabi-tants of Switzerland make a favourite beverage from them The woodis very soft, though white and beautiful. It is much used for the or-namental boxes, &.C so well known by the name of Tunbndge-ware.

153. VACC1NIUM utigimmnu Great Bilberry. Vaccinium PlftJidaa, Red Whortlb-berey, and Vaccinium Oxycoccos, Cranberry,—are all edible fruits, but do not grow in this part of the kingdom.Great quantities of Cranberries are imported every winter and springfrom Russia ; they are much esteemed by the confectioners for tarts,8cc. and are sold at high prices. These three kinds grow only in wetboggy places. A species which is native of America, called Vac-cioium macrocarpon, has been very successfully cultivated at Spring(hove by Sir Joseph Banks, Bart, and which has also been attemptedin various other places, but not with the same sucee-s. The fruit ofthis species is larger and of better flavour than either of the other kinds.

154. VACCINIUM Myrlillus. Whorts, or Bilberries.— To a com-mon observer this would appear to be a very insignificant shrub; itis not uncommonly met with on our heaths: but it is only in particularplaces where it fruits in abundance, and in such districts it is of con-siderable value.

The waste lands on Hindhead and Blackdown in Surry and Sussexare noticed for producing this fruit, which is similar to Black Currants.They are gathered in the mouths of August and September, and soldat the neighbouring markets.

In a calculation of the value of this plant with an intelligent nur-servman in that county, we found that from 5001 to TOO/, were earnedand realized annually by the neighbouring poor, who employed theirfamilies in this labour, and who are in the habit of travelling manymiles for the purpose. The fruit is ripe in August, and at that seasonis met with in great plenty in all the neighbouring towns.

155. VISCUM album. Misselto.— A parasitical plant well known,and formerly of much repute in medicine, but wholly disregarded mthe present practice. Birdlime is made from the berries.

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