234 SWEET GALE 



The first two scales are the stipules of the last season's 

 leaf left behind ; then follow about two pairs devoid of 

 leaf-rudiment, passing gradually into leaves and stipules 

 in a slight spiral. In buds of the same side the first scale 

 is turned to the same side, the second scale distichously 

 opposite. 



There are considerable variations in detail as regards 

 the buds and twigs of this wide-spread species. The buds 

 of the sub-species or variety B. glutinosa, Fries, are viscid, 

 and those of B. 'puhescens more or less hairy, and the twigs 

 vary much in being pendent or erect, and rough or smooth. 

 The older branches of all soon show the white periderm 

 peeling in flakes. 



Betula nana, Dwarf Birch, has stiff, erect, very thin 

 twigs and minute buds, essentially like B. alba, but, if 

 anything, darker in colour, and therefore nearly black in 

 the mass. 



(^(^ Bxhds small, rounded-ovoid, 

 hlunt. Twigs erect, much 

 branched, violet- or red-hrovm, 

 with prominent leaf-bases and 

 lenticels. Leaf -scar more or less 

 semi-lunate with 3 leaf-traces. 



Myrica Gale, L. Sweet Gale. The brown bud-scales 

 have a pale whitish margin, and the whole plant a 

 resinous fragrance. Buds with waxy excretion, reddish. 

 Twigs brittle varying to yellowish, and with golden 

 scale-like glands scattered here and there, passing to 

 deep brown or nearly black. The scale-glands towards 

 the tips of the twigs may produce an appearance of 

 bronzing, approaching that of Hippophaii (p. 191), but 

 there are no traces of thorns. Leaf-scars semi-lunate or 

 nearly triangular, with three leaf-trace bundles ; on promi- 

 nent leaf-bases. 



