AMENTACE.E. 505 



7. Cupiliferse (Corylacese), the Nut tribe: flowers amentaceous (fig. 238) or 

 aggregate; stamens 5-20, attached to scales (fig. 721) or a perianth; ovary 

 surrounded by a coriaceous involucre (cupula), crowned by the remains of 

 a persistent perianth (figs. 723, 725), multilocular; ovules 2 or 1, pendulous; 

 fruit a glans (figs. 257, 726); seed usually solitary; radicle superior (fig. 

 727); leaves stipulate, often feather-veined (fig. 134). Natives of temperate 

 regions chiefly. Some extend to warm countries. 



This extensive Amental alliance, with which perhaps the next order 

 should be incorporated, embraces 18 known genera, and 600 species. 

 The suborders are by some considered as separate orders, and placed 

 in various parts of their system of alliances. Examples Salix, Popu- 

 lus ; Myrica ; Casuarina ; Betula, Alnus ; Liquidambar ; Platanus ; 

 Corylus, Fagus, Castanea, Quercus. 



1034. The Amentaceous order contains trees which yield valuable 

 timber, and are extensively cultivated. Many have bitter, tonic, and 

 astringent qualities. Some yield resinous and balsamic fluids ; and 

 the seeds of some are used as articles of food. The bark of many 

 species of Willow, such as Salix Caprcea, alba, fiusselliana, frogilis, 

 pentandra, vitellina, purpurea, and Helix, yields a neutral crystalline 

 bitter substance called Salacin, which is employed as a febrifuge and 

 tonic. The bark also possesses astringent qualities from the presence 

 of tannin. Salicin assumes a carmine-red tint when moistened with a 

 few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid. Various species of Willows 

 (osiers) are used for basket-making, while others are employed in 

 forming charcoal. Salix babylonica is the Weeping-willow. Its specific 

 name is founded on the supposition, that it was the species on which 

 the Israelites hanged their harps by the waters of Babylon. The word 

 re? in the Bible is doubtfully translated Willow. Populus alba is com- 

 monly called the Abele, while P. tremula is the Aspen, and P. fasti- 

 i/iata and dilatata the Lombardy Poplar. The buds of Populus nigra 

 and balsamifera are covered with a resinous exudation, to which the 

 name of Tacamahac has been given. The leaves and bark of some 

 Poplars secrete a saccharine substance. Salix arctica and polaris 

 extend to the arctic regions, and form the most northern woody plants. 

 Salix herbacea, a small creeping Willow, occurs abundantly on the 

 Scotch mountains. The downy matter surrounding the seeds of Pop- 

 lars and Willows, is used for stuffing pillows and cushions, as well as 

 for the manufacture of a kind of paper. 



1035. The species of Myrica are aromatic, and yield resinous and 

 oily matter. Myrica Gale is the Gale or Scotch Myrtle, which is com- 

 mon in marshy grounds and damp heaths in Britain. The fruit of 

 Myrica cerifera, called Wax Myrtle, or Bay Myrtle, or Candleberry, 

 yields a greenish-coloured wax, which is used for candles. The 

 drupaceous fruit of some Myricas is eaten. The leaves of Comptonia 

 asplenifolia, Sweet Fern, are found by Mr. Murchison to contain pecu- 

 liar glands. Resinous matter is also procured from several species of 



