QUERCIFLOR^:. 345 



instance is also long and cylindrical. The cupule in C. betnlns is 

 3-lobed, and to a slight extent only embraces the base of the 

 ribbed nut (Fig. 331) ; each lobe corresponds to a floral-leaf. 

 Whilst the carpels are placed medianly in Corylus, in Caiyinus, on the other 

 hand, they are situated transversely, as in the case of the Betulacea;. The 

 lamina of the leaf is not conduplicate in the bud, but flat, and folded only along 

 the lateral veins, which are also indicated in the form of the fully-developed leaf ; 

 otherwise the vegetative characters are essentially the same as in the Hazel. 

 The cotyledons are aerial. Oxtrya resembles the Hornbeam, but the cupule 

 completely envelopes the nut, as a sac open at the apex (Eur., N. Am., Japan). 



N. Am., Asia, and Europe ; '25 species. Fossil forms in the Oligoceue. Wind- 

 pollinated. USES. As timber (Carpinus betulus) and firewood. The fruits of 

 C. avellana (ordinary Hazel-nut), C. titbtdosa (Lambert's nut) and C. column 

 (Turkish Filbert) are edible. 



PIG. 330. Diagrams of the <5 -flower (A) of Corylus FIG. 331. Nut of the Hornbeam 



and the dichasiurn of the ? -flowers (B). with cupule. 



Order 3. Cupuliferse. Monoecious. The inflorescences make 

 their appearance with the leaves, arising in the axils of the leaves 

 of the same year. A woody cupule furnished externally with scales 

 or spines is common, and surrounds 1-several flowers (the cupnle 

 in the Corylacese never encloses more than a single flower or fruit). 

 The ^-flower has a united perianth, which is, however, 4-6 partite, 

 and encloses an indefinite number of undivided stamens. The ? - 

 flower has a superior, 6-merous perianth (3 + 3, compare Figs. 

 332 D, 334) ; the gynoeceum is formed of 3 (or in Castanea 4-6) 

 carpels with a corresponding number of stigmas (Figs. 332 I>, 

 H 334, 335) ; and the ovary has at the base 3 (-6) loculi (Fig. 

 333), each of which has 2 pendulous anatr-opous ovules ; the fruit 

 is a one-seeded nut (Figs. 332 E, 336). 



The cupule of the Cupulifera?, according to the opinion of 

 Eichler, is formed by united bracteoles (compare Fig. 333, where 



