204 Sweet-Gale (Myncacece) 



Leaves, one and one half to three inches long, smooth, 

 and shining on both sides. Apex, pointed or blunt, 

 and tipped with the end of the mid-vein, entire or 

 remotely toothed toward the apex. Leaf-stem, dis- 

 tinct. 



Fruit, about one eighth inch in diameter, round and nut- 

 like, greenish at first, then blackish, and when ripe 

 crusted with whitish wax, clustered on short 'stems 

 below the leaves, usually four to nine in a cluster, 

 sometimes remaining in place for two or three years. 



Found, near the coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, and 

 on Lake Erie, oftenest on dry, sandy soil. 



A compact, much-branching shrub, two to eight feet 

 high, often growing'in masses. The wax of the gathered 

 berries, when removed by soaking in boiling water, forms 

 the " bayberry tallow" of commerce. 



" The production of myrica wax, or bayberry tallow, 

 has been carried on to a somewhat large extent, mostly 

 for the manufacture of candles and soap. Candles made 

 from this wax, though quite brittle, are less greasy than 

 others, are slightly aromatic, and are smokeless after 

 snuffing. The wax is obtained by boiling the berries and 

 then skimming the water. It saponifies readily with a 

 solution of caustic potash, yielding a fragrant soap. Four 

 pounds of berries yield about one pound of wax. 



Fig. 95. Sweet-Gale. Dutch Myrtle. M. Gale, L. 



Flowers, the two kinds mostly on separate plants ; the 

 staminate clusters terminal, one inch or more in 

 length, closely clustered ; the pistillate clusters axil- 

 lary, about one eighth of an inch in length, oval. 



