218 MONOECIA. POLYANDKIA. 



ly pubescent, but not tomentose, nerves very promiaent; 

 length 15 to 20 lines, breadth 10 to 12 lines; with the fruit 

 I am unacquainted, it appears to be entirely a southern 

 species, and probably more perfect in Georgia. C naria 

 cf Muhl. Catal. and Herb, appears to be little more than 

 a dwarf variety of C. vesca. 



The original species, C. vcsca, or common Chesnut, and 

 the only one of the genus exc:pt the above, is indigenous 

 to the south of Europe, wliere sometimes by an acciden- 

 tal union of stems it presents the most enormous trunk of 

 any existing vegetable, on Mount iEtna there did or docs 

 . still exist one of these vegetable monsters 160 feet in 

 circumference. 



755. BETULA. L, (Birch Tree.) 



Masc. ^ment imbricated, scales peltate, 5- 

 flowered. Calix consisting of scales. Corolla 

 none. Stamina 10 to 12. Fem. Calkv scales 2- 

 flowered. Corolla none, <S'eed 1, alated. 



Trees or more rarely shrubs; aments axillary; leaves 

 ovate and serrate, more rarely obovate as in Mniis^ from 

 which this genus is scarcely distinct. — Bark often tena- 

 cecus, with papyraceous exfoliations. 



Species. 1. B. popnlifoUa. Leaves deltoid, acuminate- 

 % excelsa. o. nigra. 4. papi/racea. (Canoe Birch.) Bark 

 very tcnaceous luul durable, emplo\ cd by the savages for 

 various economical purposes, but more particularly for 

 canoes. Hab. From Canada to Pennsylvania. 5. lenta. 

 (Sweet Birch.) The taste and scent of the bark similar to 

 that of GauUheria procumbene- 6. pumila. 7. glcmdulosa. 

 9. nana. 



A genus of about 17 species, the remainder indigenous 

 to northern Europe or Siberia, excepting one species in 

 Japan, and another in Terra del Fuego. 



756. CARPINUS. L. (Horn-beam Tree.) 

 ^^mennmbricatcd. Masc. Scales of the caZia.^ 



ciliated. Stamina about 10. Fem. Calix scales 

 2-llowered. C'oro/Za trifid. JV«i ovate, sulqate. 



Trees with axillary and terminal aments; female ament 

 at length racemose and foliaceous, flowers conjugate. 



Species. 1. C americana. —Style 1, stigmas 2. Female 

 buds producing bath leaves and flowers. 



