40 FAMILIAR FEATURES OF THE ROADSIDE. 



another of tlie blackbird's notes — and the jay bird's 

 as welL 



In April or early May, on the road which winds 

 through the dark woods, we will possibly see the 

 spice or Benjamin bush {L'mdera Ijemoin) in full 

 bloom. The honey -yellow flowers (four 

 to five in cluster) are inconspicuous 

 and tiny ; they are grouped in yet 

 larger clusters along the slender 

 branchlets which are as yet 

 bare of leaves ; these are alter- 

 nate-growing, nearly smooth, 

 oval, pointed, and without 

 teeth. The red berries are ob- 

 ovate, and spicy in smell and 

 taste ; they have been used in 

 place of allspice. The aromatic 

 odor of the crushed leaves resembles 

 that of gum benzoin. This shrub 

 grows from six to fifteen feet high. 



Along the roads near the coast, in 

 sandy soil, grows a low shrub from 

 two to three feet, or rarely eight 

 feet, high, called bayberry or wax myrtle {Myrica 

 cerifera). This is very common on the island of 

 Nantucket, along the south shore and in the vicinity 

 of Siasconset. The flowers appear in May along with 



