OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES 389 



Meanwhile steady excretion of wax takes place over the cells of each 

 emergence and these later have so grown together as to form a complete 

 coating around the fruit wall proper. So between the abundant wax 

 excretion and the close apposition of the wax secreting emergences, the 

 entire surface of each emergence assumes a uniform blue gray color 

 and is coated over by a rather brittle waxy investment that readily 

 crumples to pieces when slightly pressed between the fingers. 



This investment forms an admirable defensive covering alike against 

 intense insulation, the attack of fungoid spores, and the destructive 

 action of caterpillars and other animal enemies. 



Gross Structure of the Fruits of Comptonia asphnifolia, Alton 



The fruit of Comptonia aspleuifolia is an akene which is subtended 

 by an involucral cupule consisting of 8 linear subulate bracteoles. The 

 akeneal portion is ovoid-oblong in shape, obtuse at the apex, light-brown 

 and shining. In association with other akenes and their bracteoles on 

 the catkin axis, it forms a bur-like structure. 



Gross Structure of the Fruit of Myrica Gale, L 

 The fruit of .1/. Gale is a keeled nut consisting of the ripened ovary 

 accompanied by two accrescent bracteoles which have formed aeriferous 

 floats. 



Prevalence of Actinomyces in the Fruits 

 Actinomyces myricarum Youngken has been observed by the writer 

 in its most luxuriant form in the cells of the middle fruit wall of the 

 various species studied. Here it can be recognized best in thin hand 

 sections stained with Safranin and Methyl Green in the form of rosettes 

 almost filling the cell lumina. When the fruits fall to the ground and 

 subsequently break open their walls, the organism probably makes its 

 way from the infected cells into the soil where it spreads through wide 

 areas infecting the roots and stems of other Myricas and producing char- 

 acteristic lesions. 



Taxonomy of the Myricaceae of the Eastern United States 



Myricaceae (Lindley) Bayberry Family 



Myricaceae, Lindley, Nat. Syst., ed. 2, 1836, p. 179; 



Bentham and Hooker, Genera Plantarum, vol. 3, p. 400; 

 Gas. de Candolle, Prodromus, vol. 16, 2d p., p. 147. 

 Engler, Pflanzenfamilien, t 3, p. 26. 



