284 



CUPULIFER^. 



[chap. 



The twigs of species of Osier Willow are used in northern 

 countries to make basket-work. 



86. Natural Order, CupuUfercB. — The Oak and Chestnut 

 lamily. 



Trees with alternate leaves and monoecious flowers 

 Ovary inferior, three- (or more-) celled. Fruit one-celied, 

 one-seeded. 



Type — Spiked Oak {Querais spicata). 



A large timber-tree of the Himalaya and Khasia moun- 

 tains, with alternate, simple, entire, coriaceous, shining, 

 stipulate leaves, axillary, long, erect spikes of small monoe- 

 cious flowers, and sessile acorn-fruits. 



Observe the various modifications of the involucre sur- 

 rounding the acorn in diff"erent species of Oak and Chestnut 

 {Casianea). In some Oaks it is closed over the fruit, splitting 

 into valves when ripe (as in Chestnuts) ; in others (as is 

 usually the case in Oaks), it forms a cup, covered with 

 numerous imbricating scales, or prickles, or a series of rings. 

 In other genera, not Indian, as the Hazel and Hornbeam, 

 the involucre consists of two or three leafy bracts, which 

 enlarge after flowering. Observe, also, the constant abor- 



