248 OF TiTE AMENTUM. 



in studying this part with peculiar attention 

 in order to reform the genera of ilicse plants^ 

 see Tracts relating to 'ISatural Historij, 

 p. 2i.>, found reason to contrive any new 

 appellation. My learned friends \Villdenow 

 and SwarLz have judged otherwise, calling 

 thismemhrane the induaiujn, or covering; 

 which seems to me altogether superfluous. 

 See its various forms in EtigL Bot. 1. 1458 — • 

 60, 1150, 1X59, 1160, &c. 



3. Amentum,/. I AG. Catkin, denominated bj 

 authors before hmns^us julus, nuca?jientum, 

 or catulus; consists of a common recep- 

 tacle of a cylindrical form beset with nu- 

 merous scales, each of which is accom- 

 panied by one or more stamens or pistils, 

 so that the whole forms an aggregate 

 flower. The receptacle itself and the bases 

 of the scales are firmly united, and the 

 whole catkin falls ofl:^ entire, except that 

 in some instances the upper part of each 

 scale withers away, as in tiie \¥illow genus, 

 Salir, Engl Bot. U 1388—90, 1402—4, 

 &c., the seed-vessels in that genus being 

 quite distinct from the scales. In others. 



