326 MYAICACBiB. 



ers numerous, in a short terminal anient, with small decidu- 

 ous bracts j each enclosed in a membranaceous sac-like in- 

 volucre which enlarges and forms a bladdery closed bao- in 

 fruit, those imbricated to form a sort of strobile, appearing 

 like that of the hop. Ovary 2-celled, 2-ovuled, crowned 

 with the entire and bearded border of the calyx, forming .a 

 small and seed-like smooth nut.— Slender trees with brown- 

 ish finely furrowed hark, entire alternate leaves, and fiovcers op. 

 p earing with the leaves. 



0. Virginica, Wrll<3. American Hop-Hornbeam. 



Leaves oblong-ovate, acuminate, sharply doubly serrate, somewhat downy' 

 fertile aments oblong, tmdulcus; intolucrul sacs tristly-haiiy at the base: lids 

 acute. 



Rich woods. April, May. A I mail tree CO to SO f< et hiph. The hark is r< mark- 

 able for its fine narrow longitudinal divisions. Leans on iiairy petiole*, about 

 twice as long as wide. The fruit is similar in appearance lo hojs, consisting of 

 numbraneous imbricated sacs, containing each a firwer. Tl e v. ci d is v« ry white, 

 hard and strong, much used for levers. &c. Leier-uxtd. hon-icoid. 



Order 104. B1YRI0ACEJE.— Street Gale Fcmiy 



Menercious cr dioecious shrubs., with the sterile cvd fertile fencers in short scaly amentf. 

 ay.d resinous dotted often fragrant leaves — differing from the Birch Family chief! y 

 .by the 1 celled ovary with a single erect orthotropous ovule, and a drupe-like nut. 



1. MYRICA, Linn. Bayberry. 



<Jr. viurile, the ancient name of the Tamarisk. 



Dioecious. .Sterile flowers in oblong or cylindrical 

 aments, the fertile in ovoid closely imbricated amen Is, 

 both destitute of calyx and corolla, solitary under a scale-like 

 bract, with a pair of bractlets. Stamens 2 to 8 with the 

 filaments somewhat united below. Ovary 1, superior, wiik 

 3 scales at its base, and 2 thread-like stigmas. Fruit a simill 

 globular nut, studded with resinous grains or wax. 



1. M. Gale, L. Sweet Gale. Meadow Fern. 



Xeares wedge-lanceolate, serrate towards the apex, appearing later than the 

 Sowers: sterile aments closely clustered; fruit in an oblong imbricated amentace- 

 ous head. 



Borders of ponds and mountain lakes, rare. May. A branching shrub 3 to 4 

 feet hij,h. Leaves dark green above, j ale beneath, with a strong midvtin. Jj to 

 ] V£ inch long. \ y z to )^ inch wide, entire -J^ the length. Fertile and sterile J • vera 

 en scptrate plants. The fruit and lcaveo when 'bruised unit a pungent spicy odor. 



2. M. CER1FERA, L. Boyherry. Wax Myrtle. 



Sxaves oblong-lanceolate narrowed at the base, entire or wavy-toothed toward a 

 the apex, shining and resinous dotted on both sides, somewhat \ receding the Sow- 

 ers; tteri't amentjs scattered; oblong; nxds scattered and naked, intrusted with 

 white wax. 



