202 CLASS DIOECIA. 



on which they are launched, they, in fact, migrate 

 accidentally to the vicinity of the fertile flower, 

 furnished with a long spiral peduncle, by which it 

 is enabled to attain the surface of the water even at a 

 a variable depth. The spathe of the latter is bifid, 

 and 1 -flowered ; the calyx 3-parted, and superior ; 

 the corolla of 3-petals ; the stigma ligulate and bifid ; 

 the capsule valveless, 1 -celled ; and the seeds nume- 

 rous, attached to its sides. 



In Tetrandria will be found the Wax Myrtle, Bay- 

 berry, and Gale (Myrica), which have ovate-oblong 

 aments, with lunulate (or crescent-shaped) scales. 

 The infertile flowers have 4 to 6 stamens ; and 4-valv- 

 ed anthers. In the fertile flower there is a single 

 germ, 2 stigmas, succeeded by a 1-celled, 1-seeded 

 drupe. Of the species, the most remarkable is the 

 Wax Myrtle {M. cerifera) having wedge-shaped, lan- 

 ceolate leaves, with a few serratures towards the ex- 

 tremity. This species, with the surface of the 

 leaves scattered with aromatic glands, is a rather 

 low and spreading shrub, abundant on the sandy 

 beaches and hills near the ocean ; and in the autumn 

 covered with sessile, crowded, small berries, covered 

 with a roughish coating of whitish green wax, often 

 separated and collected by boiling, for the purpose of 

 making lights or candles. This genus belongs to the 

 family of the Salicin^;. 



The Viseum, or Misseltoe, of the natural family of 

 the LoR_4NTHEiE, is quite remarkable for its uniform 

 parasitic situation, naturally engrafting itself into the 

 bark and sap-wood of youngish or smooth barked trees, 

 where it forms an evergreen small bush, with opposite 

 or forked, green, and brittle branches. The calyx 

 consists of an entire, or but little prominent margin. 

 The petals 4, short and united at the base. — In the 

 staminiferous flower there are 4 sessile anthers adnata 



