99 



the sides ; ^tyle \ or ; stigmas 2. Fmit coriaceous, 1- or 2-cellecl, 2-valved, many-seeded. 

 Seeds either adhering to the lower part of the axis of each valve, or to the base of the cell, 

 comose ; albumen 0; embryo erect ; rarfic/c inferior. — Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate^ 

 simple, with deliquescent venae primariae, and frequently with glands ; stiptilcB deciduous 

 or persistent. 



Affinities. The hairy seeds, and polyspermous 2-valved fruit, dis- 

 tinguish this from Betulinese, the only order with which it is likely to be 

 confounded. It is usually combined with that order and Cupuliferse, under 

 the name of Amentacese ; but it is more consonant with modern views of 

 division to keep them all separate. 



Geography. Natives, generally, of the same localities as Betulinese, 

 but extending further to the north than the species of that order. The most 

 northern woody plant that is known is a kind of Willow, Salix arctica. They 

 are found sparingly in Barbary, and there is a species of Willow even in 

 Senegal. 



Properties. Valuable trees, either for their timber or for economical 

 purposes ; the Willow, the Sallow, and the Poplar, being the representa- 

 tives. Their bark is usually astringent, tonic, and stomachic ; that of Po- 

 pulus tremuloides is known as a febrifuge in the United States ; the leaves of 

 Salix herbacea, soaked in water, are employed in Iceland for tanning leather. 

 Willow bark' has been found by Sir H. Davy to contain as much tanning 

 principle as that of the Oak. Ed. P.J. 1. 320. It has lately acquired a 

 great reputation in France as a febrifuge. 



Examples. Populus, Salix. 



LXXXV. PLATANE^. The Plane Tribe. 



Platane^, Lestiboudois according to Von Martins. Hort. Reg. Monacensis, p. 46. (1829.) 



Diagnosis. Achlamydeous dicotyledons, with a 1-celled ovarium, pen- 

 dulous ovules, alternate leaves, and amentaceous flowers. 

 Anqmalies. 



Essential Character Flowers amentaceous, naked; the sexes in distinct 



amenta. Stamens single, without any floral envelope, but with several small scales and 

 appendages mixed among them ; anthers linear, 2-celled. Ovaria terminated by a thick 

 style, having the stigmatic surface on one side ; ovules solitary, or two, one above the other, 

 and suspended. Nuts, in consequence of mutual compression, clavate, with a persistent 

 recurved style. Seeds solitary', or rarely in pairs, pendulous, elongated ; testa thick ; 

 embryo long, taper, lying in the axis of fleshy albumen, with the radicle turned to the 

 extremity next (opposite, A. Rich.) the hilum Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate, pal- 

 mate, or toothed, with scarious sheathing stipulae. Amenta round, pendulous. 



Affinities. Formerly comprehended in the tribe called Amenta- 

 cese, this order is particularly known by its round heads of flowers, its 

 1-celled ovarium, containing 1 or 2 pendulous ovula, and its embryo lying 

 in fleshy albumen, by which it is distinguishable from both Betulinese, My- 

 riceae, and Artocarpese, with all which, especially the latter, it has a close 

 affinity. From the latter, indeed, it is chiefly known by the want of calyx, 

 by the presence of albumen, and the absence of milk ; the habit of the two 

 orders being much the same. According to Gsertner, the radicle is next the 

 hilum ; according to Achille Richard (Diet. Class. 14. 23.), it is at the other 

 extremity. 



Geography. Natives of Barbary, the Levant, and North America. 



Properties. Noble timber-trees, the wood of which is extremely 

 valuable ; the bark of Platanus is remarkable for falling off in hard irre- 



