THE TAMARISK. 273 



low shrub, composed of numerous upright stems, and 

 producing in spring abundance of purplish-brown catkins, 

 which appear before the leaves begin to expand. It is 

 commonly known as Dutch Myrtle, or Sweet Gale ; and to 

 the latter name at least it is justly entitled, for both at 

 the season when it is in flower, as well as when it is in 

 leaf, it diffuses a rich aromatic perfume, which scents the 

 air to a great distance. 



"And as he flies, 



Like the winged shaft, the wanton zephyrs breathe 

 Delicious fragrance ; for upon his banks 

 Beautiful ever Nature's hand has thrown 

 The odorous Myrica." CARBINGTON. 



The catkins and leaves when bruised are clammy to the 

 touch, and impart a permanent fragrance to the fingers. 



It is a native of Great Britain, North America, and all 

 the colder and temperate regions of Europe and Asia, 

 always growing in bogs. The whole plant abounds with 

 a resinous substance, to which it owes its fragrance. The 

 leaves are bitter, and are sometimes used as a substitute 

 for hops. The catkins when boiled throw up a resinous 

 wax, which may be made into candles. This substance is 

 found in much greater quantities in a North American 

 species of Myrica, called the Candleberry Myrtle. The 

 plant which produces it is an evergreen, larger than the 

 Sweet Gale, and furnished with leaves like those of the 

 Sweet Bay. Candles formed of this wax burn long, and 

 yield a grateful smell, and they are said to have the 

 advantage of producing an agreeable aromatic fragrance 

 when extinguished. Another species, which grows at the 

 Cape of Good Hope, produces a similar wax, which is 

 applied to the same purpose. 



