Dillenius, Miller, and some other authors, make a distinct genus of the _Hepatica_: Linnaeus unites it with the _Anemone_, observing, that though it differs from the _Anemone_ in having a calyx, yet that calyx is at some distance from the flower, and partakes more of the Nature of an Involucrum, which is not uncommon to the Anemonies. The Hepaticas, as Parkinson observes, flower soon after the winter Hellebore, "and making their pride appear in winter, are the more welcome early guests." It is found wild in its single state, with red, blue, and white flowers, in the woods and shady mountains of Sweden, Germany, and Italy; the red variety with double flowers is the one most commonly cultivated in our gardens; the double blue is also not unfrequent; the single white is less common; and the double white Miller never saw, yet admits that it may exist spontaneously, or be produced from seed: Parkinson mentions a white variety with red threads or stamina. According to Miller, this plant delights in a loamy soil, and in an eastern position where it may have only the morning sun: the single sorts are easily raised from seed; the double, increased by parting the roots, which ought to be done in March when they are in bloom; they should not be divided into very small heads: these plants, if often removed and parted, are apt to die, but left undisturbed for many years, they will thrive exceedingly, and become very large roots. [11] ~Erica herbacea. Herbaceous Heath.~ _Class and Order._ ~Octandria Monogynia.~ _Generic Character._ Calyx 4-phyllus. Corolla 4-fida. Filamenta receptaculo inserta. Antherae bifidae. Capsula 4-locularis. _Specific Character and Synonyms._ ERICA _herbacea_ antheris muticis exsertis, corollis oblongis, stylo exserto, foliis quaternis, floribus secundis, _Lin. Syst. Vegetab. p._ 306. _carnea Sp. Pl. ed._ 3. _p._ 504. ERICA _carnea_. _Jacq. Fl. Austr. v._ 1. _tab._ 32 ERICA procumbens herbacea. _Bauh. Pin. p._ 486. [Illustration: No. 11] Since the days of Mr. Miller, who, with all his imperfections, has contributed more to the advancement of practical gardening than any individual whatever, our gardens, but more especially our green-houses, have received some of their highest ornaments from the introduction of a great number of most beautiful Heaths: the present plant, though a native of the Alps and mountainous parts of Germany, is of modern introduction here, what renders it particularly acceptable, is its hardiness and early flowering; its blossoms are formed in the autumn, continue of a pale green colour during the winter, and expand in the spring, flowering as early as March, especially if kept in a green-house, or in a common hot-bed frame, which is the more usual practice.