DRTICACK.'E. • 353 PLA TAXDS. 



diameter of 5 feet it arises to the hightof GO. The trunk is covered with a 

 deeply furrowed bark. The youno- uvigs are yellowish, putting fortli leaves 

 of a rich green, which are deeply divided into 5 lobes more regularly formed 

 than those of the rock maple. The fruit is in a globular, compact ball, sus- 

 pended by a slender pedicel, consisting of numerous capsules, each containing 

 1 or 2 seeds. When wounded in sumiuer, a gum of an agreeable odor is 

 distilled from the trunk. May. •^'"'■c«^ <^'""*- 



ORDER CXXXI. PLATANACE^. The Plane-tres Tribe. 



AmenU moncecious, globose, with achlamycleoiis flowers. 



Stekile. — Sia- sing-le, with only small scales intermi.xed. Anth. 2-cellerl, linear. 



Fertile. — Oca. terminated by a thick style with one side stigmalic. 



Pr.—'SM, davate, tipped with the persistent, recurved style. Seed solitary albuminous. 



An order consisting of a single genus of trees, with alternate, palmaicly-lobed leaves. 

 Stipules sheathing, scarious. 



PLA'TANUS. 

 Characler ihe. same as that of ihe order. 



Gt. TFXciT'Ji, broad ; in reference to the ample foliage. 



P. occidenta'lis. 



Ler; CCS lobed, angular ; branches whitish. The plane-tree is native of all 

 the U. S., and is by far the largest (though not the loftiest) tree of the Ameri- 

 can forest. On the margins of the great rivers of the West, trees are found 

 whose trunks measure from 40 to 50 feet in circumference, or more than 13 

 feet in diametei. In N.England it also grows to magnificent dimensions. It 

 flourishes in any soil, but is most fiequenlly met with on the stony borders 

 and beds of streams. Leaves very large, tomentose beiieatli when young. 

 Flowers in globular aments or balls, which hang upon the tree on long pedicels 

 most of the winter. The bark is yearly detached from the trunk in large scales 

 leaving a white surface beneath. May. Plane-tree. Button-wood. SijcamoTe. 



ORDER CXXXII. URTICACE^. 



Pis. MoncEcious. dicecious or polygamous, in panicles, aments or dense heads. 



CW.— Membranoiis, lobed, persistent. 



Sta —Definite, distinct, inserted into the base of the calyx and opposite its lobes. 



Ova. — Free, simple, ]-ovuled. Style ]. 



fV. Acheuium or utricle, surrounded by the membranous or fleshy calyx. 



A lara-e order of trees, .shrubs and herbs, the two former usually lactescent. Leaves 

 alternai'e, rough or covered with stinging hairs, often stipulate. They are widely diffused 

 ihroushout the world. 



Properties. — The juice is almost .ilways deleterious, sometimes in a high degree. It con- 

 tains caoutdinuc. The celebrated Bohon Upa.-i. the most deadly of all poisons, is the 

 concrete juice of Anliaris toxicaria of the Indian Archipelago. Its poisonous property is 

 said to be due to the presence ol strychnia. Meanwhile the famous cow tree of S. America 

 yields a copious supply of milk which is rich and wholesome. Gum lac is obtained abun- 

 dantly from Ficus Indica. The renowned Banyan tree is Ficus relijriosa. In this order are 

 also found many exceUent fruits. Figs are the fruit of I'icus Cariea. &c. Bread fruit is 

 the compound fruit of Artocarpus ; mulberries of JSIorus nigra. XV.^nV, a yellow dye is the 

 wood of i\I. tinctoria of S. America. The use o( lump in the manufacture of cordage is 

 well known, as are likewise the uses of the hop. The nettles are remarkable for their 

 Blinginsr, venomous hairs. 



This" order is composed of 'four principal suborders, viz: ArtocarpejB, More^, 

 URricE,E, and Cannabineje, of which the three last are represented in llie followiug 

 genera. 



EE* 



