68 Forest Trees and Shrubs of Meriden, Conn. 



40. ALNUS INCANA. (Willdenou.) 

 Speckled Alder. Hoary Alder. Black Alder. 



This is distinguished from the common Alder by the polished 

 appearance of its bark, and the whitened under surface of its leaves. 

 Does not grow large enough to be useful, except for fuel and char- 

 coal, and sometimes for gunpowder. Wood, light, soft and close- 

 grained. Specific gravity, 0.4607; ash, 0.42. 



VI. MYRICACE^. The Wax-Myrtle Family. 



41. MYRICA CERIFERA. (Linn.) 



Bayberry. Wax Myrtle. 



Shrub three to eight feet high. Wood, light, soft, strong, brittle, 

 very close-grained. The leaves and bark of the root are used 

 medicinally. The wax which covers the fruit is called Bayberry tal- 

 ow, and was formerly used for candles, and in soap making. Speci- 

 fic gravity, 0.5637 ; ash, 0.51. Myrica Gale, (Sweet Gale ; Dutch 

 Myrtle), is a bush found along the borders of ponds. 



42. COMPTONIA ASPLENIFOLIA. (Aiton.) 



Sweet Fern. 



A very common shrub, and belongs to this Order. An infusion 

 of the leaves is uses in dysentery. 



VII. PLATA NACE^. The Plane Tree Family. 



43. PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS. (Linn.) 



Buttonwood. Button-Ball. Sycamore. Water Beech. 



One of the largest trees found in Meriden, from sixty to one 

 hundred feet high and from two to five feet or more in diameter. 

 Wood, brownish, cross-grained, cannot be split, and for this rea- 

 son is used for meat blocks, and similar purposes. Decays quickly 

 and is of very little value. Specific gravity, 0.4880; ash, o.ii. 



