Order Cxliv
CASUARINEÆ.
These are nearly related to Coniferæ, than which they are dwarfer, and of far less importance. By various writers they have been tossed about between Amentaceæ and Coniferæ, and have at last settled in a place by themselves. The leaves of Comptónia asplenifólia are employed in the United States against diarrhea. The berries of Myrica cerífera yield, on boiling, an abundance of wax which is manufactured into candles; the nuts of Ephedra distáchya are eatable; the wood of some of the Casuarinas is remarkably hard and durable. 1936 Casuarina W. 2115 Ephédra W. 1941 Comptónia W. 2055 Myrica W. 2056 Nagèia Gærin.