Betula.'] 
LXXXIV. BETULACEJE. 
395 
1. Myri'ca Linn. Gale. 
Scales of the catkins concave. — Barren fl. Stam. 4 or 8. — 
Fertile fl. Stigmas subulate. Hypogynous scales sessile, with- 
out a gland on the inside. — Name : gvpua j, in Greek synonymous 
with the tamarix. 
1. M. Gale L. ( sweet G., Bog- or Dutch-Myrtle'); leaves 
lanceolate broader upwards serrate, stem shrubby. E. B. t. 
562. 
Bogs and moory ground, most abundant, especially in Scotland. 
Tj. 5 — 7. — The plant diffuses an agreeable smell: its leaves have 
a bitter taste, whence they are sometimes employed instead of hops. 
Ord. LXXXIV. BETULACE2E Rich. 
Flowers monoecious, all amentaceous . — Barren fl. Scales of 
the catkin peltate, 1 — 3-flowered with 2 — 5 bracteoles. Peri- 
anth 4-partite or none. Stam. 4 and opposite the leaves of the 
perianth, or 8 — 12 with 2 — 3 scales at their base. Filaments 
very short, distinct. Anthers erect, 2- (or 1 - ?) celled. — Fer- 
tile fl. Scales of the catkin entire or 3-lobed, 2— 3-flowered, 
enlarging with the fruit. Perianth none, or of 4 scales at the 
base of the ovary. Ovary free, 2-celled with a solitary pendu- 
lous ovule in each cell. Style 0. Stigmas 2, filiform. Fruit 
compressed, dry and indehiscent, 1-celled, 1 -seeded. Seed 
pendulous. Albumen 0. Cotyledons flat ; radicle superior. — 
Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate , simple , with the. nerves often 
running straight from the midrib to the margin. Stipules 
deciduous. 
1. Bettjla. Perianth of barren fl. 0. Stam. 8— 12. Achene winged. 
2. Alnus. Perianth of barren fl. 4-partite. Stam. 4. Achene not 
winged. 
1. Betula Linn. Birch. 
Barren fl. Perianth 0. 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 membranous margin. — Name: derived from betu, 
the Celtic name for the birch ( beath in Gaelic). 
1. B. alba L. ( common B.) ; leaves ovato-deltoid acute 
doubly serrate, scales of the fertile catkins 3-lobed, fruit broadly 
obovate with a broad margin. E. B. t. 2198. — a. lateral lobes 
of scales decurved. B. verrucosa Fries. — \i. lateral lobes as- 
cending. B. glutinosa Fries. 
Woods, especially in heathy soils and in mountainous countries, 
h. 4, 5. — There is a var. of this tree (B. pendula Roth: Lindl. Syn, 
p. 229), with remarkably drooping branches, which are more verru- 
