DIVISION INTO FAMILIES AND GENERA. 39 



place supplied by scales; and sometimes having the stamens 

 and pistils in different flowers on the same, or even on different 

 trees. They are often disposed in catkins or aments, which are 

 the cylindrical, pendulous tassels which are seen, early in spring, 

 on the birch and alder, for example ; or clustered and horizontal 

 near the ends of the branches of the pine. In the plane tree they 

 are globular. In my arrangement, I shall begin with those plants 

 whose flowers are simplest or least complete, consisting of sta- 

 mens only or seed-vessels only, sustained and protected by one 

 or two scales, and usually disposed in catkins ; and proceed, in 

 order, to those which have a calyx, but no corolla ; those which 

 have calyx and corolla ; first of one petal ; and lastly to those 

 with a corolla of many petals with many stamens and pistils, — 

 whose flowers are most complete. 



An example will show the way in which the table may be 

 used. 



Suppose that a person has found a tree, with rough, simple, 

 alternate leaves, flowers of two kinds, some with 5 stamens and 

 no style, others with 5 stamens and 2 styles, with a calyx but 

 no corolla, and a fleshy, berry-like fruit with a stone containing 

 a single seed. He wishes to ascertain what the tree is. He 

 begins with the first question, and, as the flowers are not in 

 catkins, is referred to question 9. By that, as the leaves are 

 alternate, he is referred to 20 ; thence, as the stamens are fewer 

 than 10, to 21; thence, as the flowers are regular, to 22; as 

 the flowers have not a corolla, but only a calyx resembling a 

 corolla, he is referred to 23, and thence to 24 ; they have 2 styles, 

 and he is referred to 28 ; 5 stamens, to 55, and he learns that 

 his tree belongs to the Elm Family. The answer to question 

 55 shows him that it is the Nettle Tree, and is described in the 

 second section of the tenth family, which he will find indicated 

 by X. 2. on the left of the title on page 307. 



DIVISION INTO FAMILIES. 



j S Flowers in catkins. 2. 

 " \ Flowers not in catkins. 9. 



{Leaves needle-shaped or scale-like, mostly evergreen. 43. Pine Fami- 

 ly. I. 

 Leaves not needle-shaped or scale-like. 3. 



