Mi/rica.} MVRICEvE. 



257 



scales large, foliaceous, 3-lobed, 1 -flowered. Involucre none. 

 Perianth of 1 leaf, urceolate, 6-dentate, incorporated with 

 the 2-celled germen, of which 1 cell is abortive. Styles 2. 

 Nut ovate, striated, 1-seeded. — Name; car, wood, and pin, a 

 head, in Celtic: wood employed to make the yokes of oxen. 



Monacia. Polyandria. 



1. C. Betulus, Linn. Hornbeam. Scales or bracteas of the 

 fruit oblong, serrated, with two smaller lateral lobes. Br. Fl. 

 I. p. 410. E. Fl. v. iv. p. 156. E. Bot. t. 2032. 



Woods and hedges. Fl. May, I? . — Fine specimens of this tree 

 may be seen at Woodlands, near Lucan. It was formerly a good deal 

 used for hedges. — Leaves ovate or subcordate, doubly-serrated, acute, 

 the veins somewhat hairy, beautifully plaited when young. The wood 

 of the Hornbeam is white, tough and hard. It is used in turning-work, 

 for implements of husbandry, cogs of wheels. &c. The inner bark is 

 said to yield a yellow dye. 



Ord. 71. MYRICEiE. Rich. Gale Family. 



Flowers separated, amentaceous. Barren Fl. Stamens one 

 or several, each with a hypogynous scale. Anthers 2 — 4-celled, 

 opening lengthwise. — Fertile Fl. Ovary 1-celled, surrounded 

 by several hypogynous scales : ovule solitary, erect, with a 

 foramen in the apex : stigmas two, subulate. Fruit often co- 

 vered with waxy secretions, drupaceous, formed of the hypo- 

 gynous scales of the ovary, become fleshy and adherent, or 

 dry and dehiscent, with the scales distinct. Seed solitary, 

 erect. Embryo without albumen; cotyledons plano-convex; 

 radicle short, superior. — Shrubs with resinous glands and dots. 

 Leaves alternate, simple. 



1. Myrica. Linn. Gale. 



Barren fl. Scales of the catkin concave. Perianth none. — 

 Fertile fl. Scales of the catkin concave. Perianth none. 

 Styles two. Drupe 1-celled, 1-seeded. — Name, /ivpiKij, in 

 Greek, synonymous with the Tamarix. 



Diozcia. Tetrandria. 



1. M. Gale, Linn. Sweet Gale or Dutch Myrtle. Leaves 

 lanceolate, broader upwards, serrated ; stem shrubby. Br. Fl. 

 \.p. 435. E. Fl. v. iv. p. 239. E. Bot. t. 562. 



Bogs and moory ground, abundant. Fl. May. T? .—The plant dif- 

 fuses an agreeable smell, and the leaves have a bitter taste ; hence 

 they are said to have been sometimes used in place of hops. Doctor 

 Hooker states that in Isla and Jura the inhabitants scent their clothes 

 with them, and that in many parts of Scotland, beds are made of the 

 twigs. 



I I 



