98 



the Suberic {Ibid. 641). The galls that writing ink is prepared from are 

 the produce of 'the Oak, from which they derive their astringency. The 

 acorns of a species known in the Levant under the name of Velonia (Quer- 

 cus segilops) are imported for the use of dyers. 

 Examples. Quercus, Corylus, Fagus. 



LXXXIII, BETULINE^. The Birch Tribe. 



AwENTACEyE, Juss. Gen. 407. (1780) in part; Lindl. Synops. § 228. (1829) 



Betuline^, L. C. Richard MSS. A. Richard, Eltm. de la Bol. ed. 4. 562. 

 (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Achlamydeous dicotyledons, with a 2-celled ovarium, 

 definite pendulous seeds, and amentaceous flowers. 



Anomalies. The male flowers have occasionally a distinct calyx. 



Essential Chahacter — Floivers unisexual, moneecious, amentaceous ; the males 

 sometimes ha^^ng a membranous lobed calyx. Stamens distinct, scarcely ever mona- 

 delphous ; anthers 2-celled. Ovarium superior, 2-celled ; mniles definite, pendulous ; style 

 single, or none ; stigmas 2. Fruit membranous, indehiscent, by abortion l-celled. Seeds 



pendulous, naked ; albumen none ; embryo straight ; radicle superior Trees or shrubs. 



Leaves alternate, simple, with the venae primariae running straight from the midrib to the 

 margin ; stipulce deciduous. 



Affinities. This order approaches more near to Urticese and Cupu- 

 liferae than either Platanese or Salicinese, which may be considered dismem- 

 berments of it. In the male flowers of several species there is a distinct 

 membranous calyx, very like that of Ulmus ; the seeds are definite and pen- 

 dulous, and the leaves have the same venation as Cupuliferaj. It is distin- 

 guished by the 2 distinct cells of the fruit, by the want of a calyx to the 

 female flowers, and by its solitary pendulous seeds. 



Geography. Inhabitants of the woods of Europe, Northern Asia, and 

 North America, and even making their appearance on the mountains of 

 Peru and Columbia. 



Properties. Fine timber-trees, usually with deciduous leaves; their 

 bark astringent, and sometimes employed as a febrifuge ; but chiefly valued 

 for their importance as ornaments of a landscape. Their wood is often light,, 

 and of inferior quality, but that of the Black Birch of North America is one 

 of the hardest and most valuable we know. 



Examples. Betula, Alnus. 



LXXXIV. SALICINE.E. The Willow Tribe. 



AMENTACEiE, Juss. Gen. 407. (1789) in part; Lindl. Synops. § 229. (1829) 



Salicine.i^, L. C. Richard MSS. ; Aeh. Richard. Eltm. de la Dot. ed. 4. 560. 

 (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Achlamydeous dicotyledons, with a 1- or 2-celled ovarium, 

 indefinite comose seeds, and amentaceous flowers. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Ciiaracteh Flowers unisexual, either monmcioiis or dicccious, amen- 

 taceous. Stamens dip.tinct or monadelphous ; anthers 2-celled. Omirinm superior, 1- or 

 2-ceIled ; ovules numerous, erect, at the base of the cell or adhering to the lower part of 



