SPERMATOPHYTA MYRICACEAE 



399 



drupe, the outer part frequently covered with wax. About 35 species of wide 

 distribution. The sweet fern (Myrica asplenifolia) is sometimes weedy in 

 sandy fields in the North ; it contains an oil of strong, spicy, cinnamon-like odor ; 

 bayberry wax is derived from M. cerifera, common along the Atlantic coast and 

 the Gulf of Mexico. The bark of Myrica Nagi contains myricetin C 15 H 10 O g . 

 The leaves of M. acris are used in the preparation of bay rum. 



Fig. 181. Balm of Gilead (Populns candicans). 1. Flowering 

 branch of staminate tree. 2. Same of pistillate tree. 3. Fruiting 

 branch. 4. Scale of staminate catkin, enlarged. 5. Scale of pistillate 

 catkin, enlarged. 6. Scale without flower displayed, enlarged. 7. 

 Mature fruit. 8. Seed, enlarged. 9. Longitudinal section of seed, 

 enlarged. 10. Embryo, enlarged. 11. Winter branch, showing buds. 

 1, 2, 3, 11, one-half natural size. M. M. Cheney. 



BALANOPSIDALES 



Contain a single family, the Balanopsidaceae of New Caledonia, which in 

 turn contains a single genus Balanops of 7 species. 



