176 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
The four petals -are fleshy, ovate, united at the base, and each 
bearing an anther. In the fertile flower the calyx is only an ob- 
scure margin. Petals four, erect, ovate, and very minute. Berry 
bearing one seed. 
Viscum aLBuM. JMisseltoe. A curious and well known 
plant, growing on trees (hence called parasitic), and living 
by their juices. It generally destroys the branch on which 
it grows. It is principally found on the apple tree, and 
(though less frequently) on the oak. This singular plant was 
considered sacred by the ancient Britons. The origin of 
placing it in our houses at Christmas is now lost ; but some 
authors suppose the Druids had an idea that the spirits of 
the woods would take shelter in it when the leaves had 
fallen from the trees, and therefore they brought it imto 
their dwellings. We use it now, with Holly, as a token of 
joy at that season, and also partly to remind us of old 
customs. 
Dia@cia. TETRANDRIA. 
MoNnocHLAMYDES. MyYRICACE. 
MYRICA. (Gatz.) 
Generic Character. Scales of the catkin concave. Stamens 
four to eight. Fruit a drupe; that is, formed of a stone, and a 
fleshy covering, like the peach. 
