2 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
is generally of a pale purple hue. When the spatha withers, 
the red berries are displayed; these often continue during 
the winter, and may occasionally be seen, when all the other 
parts of the plant are dead. The root is large, and in the 
south of England it is sold, after being properly prepared, 
and is said to be a good substitute for bread flour. 
In Portland Island it is much eaten as bread, and in 
London sold under the name of Portland Sago. It is also 
used medicinally when fresh, and is very acrid. Formerly 
it was made into starch. 
Monecia. POoLYANDRIA. 
TONOCHLAMYDEZ. CORYLACEZ. 
QUERCUS. (QOak.) 
Generic Character. Barren flowers in a long pendulous catkin. 
Calyx divided into five or seven parts. Stamens from five to ten. 
Fertile flower. Jnvolucre of many little scales, united into a cup ; 
this and the nut form the acorn, which has one cell and one 
seed, 
There are two species of this well-known and valuable 
tree indigenous to this country, the first-mentioned is found 
quite in a wild state in the Highlands of Scotland, and both 
