1. The meiotic processes in the microspore mother cells of Myrica cerifera L., M. pumila Michx., M. carolinensis Mill., and Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coulter are described. 2. The Myricaceae range from polygamism through monoecism to dioecism. All variations observed were in the direction of changes from carpellate to staminate. 3. Material of Myrica and Comptonia was unsuitable for detailed studies on prophase stages, including chiasma formation. Synizesis is a constant feature in the species studied, whether an artifact or not. 4. Chiasmata become nearly or completely terminalized in late prophases. 5. At interkinesis the chromosomes are indistinguishable and cytokinesis does not occur at this stage. 6. Cytokinesis is by furrowing of the plasma membrane from the periphery, usually resulting in quadripartition with a tetrahedral arrangement of the microspores. 7. No evidence for the presence of heterochromosomes was observed in the meiotic divisions of any of the species studied. 8. Comptonia peregrina sh...