Class XXI. Order IX. 333 



268. PLATANUS. 



PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS, L. Plane tree. Button wood. 



Sycamore. 



Leaves lob ed- angular; branches whitish. Mich. 



This tree, commonly known by the name of Button wood, 

 attains to an extraordinary size. Trees are said to be found in 

 the western states, whose trunks measure from forty to fifty 

 feet in circumference. With us it is one of the largest native 

 trees. The leaves are broad and lobed, with many acute seg- 

 ments. When young they are downy at the veins underneath. 

 On breaking off the petiole, the next year's bud is found con- 

 cealed within its base. The flowers grow in balls or globular 

 aments, and are succeeded by long seeds, furnished with a fine 

 reddish down at base. The receptacle of the seeds, constituting 

 the nucleus of the ball, is hard and woody, and closely enveloped 

 by a regular net work, which may be easily detached. The 

 balls art retained all winter on the trees by their tough, fibrous 

 stalks. Each year the outer bark of the branches scales off to a 

 determinate extent, leaving a white surface beneath it, This cir- 

 cumstance distinguishes the tree at sight from all others around 

 it. 



The wood is fine grained, and is susceptible of a good pol- 

 ish. It is however said to be liable to warp, and by no means 

 durable when exposed to the weather. 



MOJMDELPIIM. 



269. PINUS. 

 PINUS RIGIDA. L. Pitch Pine. 



Leaves in threes ; cones ovate, clustered ; 

 spines of the scales reflexed ; sheaths of the leaves 

 short. Lamb. 



The Pitch Pine is a very common inhabitant of barren, sandv 

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