BOG MYRTLE 203 



(i) Flowers devoid of any perianth (achlamy- [For (ii) 

 deous) ; singly in the axils of simple covering se 

 scales, and at most accompanied by one or 

 two glandular scales or a cup-like disc at 

 the base. The catkins or -catkin-like spikes 

 are therefore simple i.e. each cover-scale 

 or bract is single, and not compounded of 

 several fused scales. 



(a) Catkins with entire scales, more or less [For (/3) 

 stiff and erect; each flower with one or see P- 223 -l 

 two scale-like or peg-like glo.nds at its 

 base. Leaves narrow or lanceolate to 

 ovate, elliptical, <&c., but never broadly 

 cordate, angular, or lobed. 



* Catkins sessile, arranged in terminal erect 

 spikes; each $ flower with two lateral 

 basal fleshy scales (bracteoles). Each 

 scale of the $ catkin with 4 free stamens 

 with red anthers ; each scale of the $ 

 catkin with an ovary bearing two fila- 

 mentous red styles, ripening to an in- 

 dehiscent nutlet with 1 seed, not comose. 

 Fruit flanked by the adherent wing-like 

 fleshy bracteoles. Plant aromatic with 

 resinous glands. 



Myrica Gale, L. Bog Myrtle, Sweet Gale (Fig. 57). 

 A bog bush with rather willow-like aspect, and waxy- 

 resinous, fragrant secretions. Leaves deciduous, mem- 

 branous, exstipulate, entire except at the slightly toothed 

 apex ; matt green above, paler beneath, and with 

 scattered golden glands. 



Catkins stiff and erect, ovoid, the <f about 1*5 (1 3) 

 x 0*8 cm., and brownish, the about half as long and 



