112 IN THE ACADIAN LAND. 



if that is any reason for supposing that it has 

 any curative properties. However, the world 

 is " more fair and sweet " by its dainty charms 

 above ground, and we will not dig for its hidden 

 virtues. 



Within a few feet of the flags, a gravelly, 

 dry bank comes abruptly to the stream, grows 

 a shrub worthy a longer notice than can be 

 given it here. I refer to the bayberry, Myrica 

 cerifera. It is pleasant to the eye, with its cool 

 gray stems and branches and its glossy green 

 leaves. It is grateful to the sense of smell ; so 

 clean and aromatic that pillows filled with the 

 leaves are delicious soothers of tired nerves and 

 weary cares. The flowers are very small, and 

 only to be seen by looking for them, but the 

 seeds, which are hard-shelled, are covered with a 

 vegetable wax. They are gathered in bunches 

 close to the branches and well hidden by the 

 clustering leaves. Our older settlers here, and 

 in New England often gathered these "wax 

 berries," or bayberries, and boiled them till the 

 wax floated, when it was cooled, and made into 

 candles. Four pounds of berries would yield 

 about one pound of wax of a greenish tinge and 

 a pleasant odor. This was also made into soap. 

 It is still used, and may be purchased at well- 

 furnished drug stores. 



