MYRICA. 



MYRICE^. DIOECIA TETRANDrvIA. 



The derivation of this name is uncertain ; some consider it as of 

 Greek origin, and bearing allusion to its growth near streams, 

 others suppose it to be named from jMyrrha, the daughter of 

 Cynaras ; Fable having converted her into this plant. 



The Candleberry Myrtle, Myrica Gale^ is also called 

 Sweet Gale, Goule, Gaule, Sweet Willow, Wild Myrtle, 

 Dutch Myrtle ; and in Scotland, Gaal ; in French, Le 

 Gale Odorant^ Le Ptrnxnt Rojjal, Myrtlie Bcttard^ 

 My r the du Brabant^ Pimeiit de Mar ah. It has many 

 shrubby stalks which rise from two to four feet high ; 

 the blossoms appear before the leaves, vvith us in May : 

 the leaves are an inch and a half long, and half an inch 

 wide in the middle ; they are alternate, of a cheerful 

 green, rather stiif, and covered over with little resinous 

 points, which being crushed, emit a fragrant odour. The 

 catkins are yellowish-brown, sprinkled over with resinous 

 particles, shining like gold. The bark is rust-coloured, 

 dotted Math white : the fruit is a coriaceous berry. 



This shrub grows spontaneously in the northern parts 

 of Europe, and in the bogs of North America : it is not 

 imcommon in England, more particularly in the northern 

 and western counties, and is also a native of Ireland, 

 Scotland, and Wales. The leaves have a bitter taste, 

 and are used in some parts of the Highlands, and in some 



