LXXXIV. BETULACEiE. 



389 



Betula.j 



solitary, erect. Embryo witliout albumen. Radicle short, supe- 

 rior, —-'shrubs, or small trees, often aromatic, with resinous 

 lands and alternate leaves. 



g 



Myrica cerifi 



exudes from the berries, employed for economical purposes. 



1. Myrica Linn. Gale. 



Scales of the cailiins concave. — Barren Jl. Stam. 4 or 8. 

 Fertile fl. Stigmas subulate. Hypogynous scales sessile, with- 

 out a gland on the inside. — Name: jui;pi/c?], in Greek synonymous 



with the Tamarix. 



1. M. Gale L. (sweet G. or Dutch- Myrtle) ; leaves lanceo- 

 late broader upwards serrate, stem shrubby. E. B, t. 562. 



Bof^s and moory ground, most abundant, especially In Scotland. 



^^ 5 7. The plant diffuses an agreeable smell: its leaves have 



a bitter taste, whence they are sometimes employed instead of hops. 

 In Islay and Jura the inhabitants scent their clothes with the foliage; 

 and, in many parts of Scotland, beds are made of the twigs. 



Ord. LXXXIV. BETULACE^ Rich. 



Monoecious, all amentaceous. — Barren fl. Scales of the cat- 

 kin peltate, 1— 3-flowered, with 2— 5-bracteoles, Perianth 

 4-partite or none. Stam. 4 and opposite the leaves of the 

 perianth, or 8—12 with 2—3 scales at their base. Filaments 



tile fl 



enlarojing with the fruit. 



base of the ovary. 



Anthers erect, 2- (or 1-?) celled. — Fer- 



— 3-flowered, 



very short, distinct. 



Scales of the cathin entire or 3-lobed, 2 



Perianth none, or of 4 scales at the 

 Ovary free, 2-celled with a solitary pendu- 

 lous ovule in each cell. -^^^'^^ ^ SHo-mns 2. filiform. Fruit 



Style 0. 



compressed, dry and indehiscent, 

 pendulous ; albumen ; 

 Trees or shrubs. Leaves 



Stigmas 2, filiform. 



1 -seeded. 



cotyledons flat ; 



1 -celled, 



radicle 



Seed 



superior. ■ 

 nerves oft 



running straight from the midrib to the margin. Stipules 

 deciduous. 



h Betula. 

 2. Alnus. 



Perianth of barren fl. 0. Stam. 

 Perianth of barren fl, 4-partite. 

 winged. 



8 — 12. Achene winged. 

 Stam. 4. Achene not 



1, Betula Linn. Birch. 



Barren fl. PerianthO. Stam. 8— 12, with 2—3 small scales 

 at the base (indicating 2 — 3 flowers each of 4 stamens.) — Fer- 

 tile fl. Scale of the catkin 3-lobed, 3 -flowered. Perianth 0. 

 Fruit with a membranaceous mardn. — Name: derived from 



(beath 



s 3 



