358 MONtECIA TETRANDRIA. QcL. XXI. 



8. A'LNUS. ALDER. 



Barren Flowers numerous, in a loose cylindrical catkin, imbri- 

 cated all round. Calyx a wedge-shaped scale, three- flowered, with 

 two very minute lateral scales. Corolla of three equal florets, 

 attached to the inner side of each scale, each of one petal, deeply 

 divided into four equal, egg-shaped, obtuse segments. Filaments 

 four, arising from the tube of the corolla, shorter than its segments ; 

 anthers roundish, two-lobed. 



Fertile Flowers fewer, in an oval catkin, imbricated all round. 

 Calyx a wedge-shaped, two-flowered scale. Corolla none. Ger- 

 men compressed, two-celled. Styles two, parallel, bristle-shaped, 

 deciduous; stigma simple. Nut egg-shaped, hard, compressed, 

 angular, two-celled. Kernel solitary, egg-shaped, acute. Name, 

 Celtic, from al, near, and Ian, a river-bank. 427. 



1. A. glutinusa. Common Alder. Leaves roundish, wedge-shaped, 

 waved, serrate, glutinous, downy at the branching of -the veins beneath. 



A low tree, with rugged bark, and crooked, spreading, smooth 



branches : barren catkins long, pendulous ; fertile ones short, oval. The 

 wood is hard and brittle, of a reddish colour, and lasts long under water. 

 The bark dyes red, and with copperas, black. Flowers in March: grows 

 in wet places, by the sides of rivers: common. Eng. Bot. vol. xxi. 

 pi. 1508 : Betula Alnvt. Eng. Fl. vol. iv. p. 132. 1348. 



9. BU'XUS. BOX-TREE. 



Barren Flowers. Calyx of three roundish, concave, spreading 

 leaves. Petals two, roundish, concave, spreading. Filaments four, 

 awl-shaped, spreading, about the length of the petals ; anthers 

 two-lobed. A rudiment of a germen. 



Fertile Flowers from the same bud. Calyx inferior, of four 

 roundish, concave, spreading, permanent leaves. Petals three, 

 roundish, larger than the calyx. Germen nearly globular, with 

 three obtuse angles or lobes. Styles three, short, thick, permanent; 

 stigma obtuse, rough. Capsule globular, with three spreading 

 beaks, three-celled, three-valved. Seeds two in each cell, oblong. 

 Name from pyxos, of the Greeks. 428. 



1. B. sempervireiis. Common Box-tree. Leaves egg-shaped, convex. 



A small tree, with shining leaves and pale-yellow flowers. Its 



hard, close, yellowish wood is employed in making mathematical instru- 

 ments, and for wood-engraving. Flowers in April : grows on dry hills in 

 the south of England. Eng. Bot. vol. xix. pi. 1341. Eng. Fl. vol. iv. 

 p. 133. 1349. 



10. URTt'CA. NETTLE. 



Barren Flower. Calyx of four, roundish, concave, equal leaves. 

 Petals none. Nectary central, cup- shaped. Filaments four, awl- 

 shaped, spreading, as long as the calyx ; anthers roundish, two- 

 lobed. 



Fertile Flower. Calyx inferior, of two roundish, equal leaves. 

 Corolla none. Germen egg-shaped. Style none ; stigma downy. 



