290 



CORYLACE^E. 



[Diclinous Exogens. 



Order XCV. CORYLACEjE.— Mastworts. 



C'astaneae, Adans. /am. 306. (1703) — Cupuliferse, Rich. Anal, du Fr. (1808) ; BUimc Flora Janr, 

 Endlich. Ixxxix. ; MHsner, p. 340. — Corylaceffi, ilirb. Elan. 900. (1815). — Quercinere, Juss. in JJict. 

 Sc. Nat. vol. 2. Sitppl. (1810). 



Diagnosis. — Qiiemal Exoycns, with 2 or more cells in the ovary, and pendulous or peltate 



ovules. 

 Trees or shrubs. Leaves with stipules^ alternate, simple, often with veins pro- 

 ceeding straight from the midrib to the margin. Flowers $ £ ; $ amenta- 

 ceous, 9. aggregate or amentaceous. $ Stamens 5 to 20, inserted into the base of 

 scales or of a membranous valvate calyx, generally distinct. <j> Ovary crowned 



2 2 by the rudiments of an adherent 



calyx, seated within a coriaceous 

 involucre (cupule) of various 

 figure, with several cells and seve- 

 ral ovules, the greater part of 

 which are abortive ; ovules twin or 

 solitary, pendulous or peltate ; stig- 

 mas several, sub-sessile, distinct. 

 Fruit a bony or coriaceous 1- 

 celled nut, more or less inclosed 

 in the involucre. Seeds solitary, 

 1, "2, or 3 ; embryo large, with 

 plano-convex fleshy cotyledons and 

 a minute superior radicle. 



The trees or bushes which consti- 

 tute this Order are among the 

 most important that are known in 

 the Flora of Europe. They are 

 readily recognised by their amen- 

 taceous flowers and peculiarly 

 veined leaves ; from all other plants 

 they are distinguished by their 

 apetalous superior rudimeutary 

 calyx, fruit inclosed in a peculiar 



7 8 6 u 



Fig. CC. 



husk or cup, and nuts containing but 1 cell and 1 or 2 seeds, in consequence of the 

 abortion of the remainder. They are akin to Willowworts and Birchworts, from which 

 the superior calyx and, in the former case, very often the veining of their leaves, 

 distinguish them. To Nettleworts they are nearly allied, but differ in then" many-celled 

 ovary, pendulous ovules, and superior calyx. At first sight, in consequence of their 

 leaves never being pinnate, -their relationship to Juglands escapes notice; but the discovery 

 that some at least have the same kind (if wrinkled and 4-lobed cotyledons, as for instance 

 certain Oaks and Syntedrys, has called attention to the fact. Quercus Skinneri, a kind 

 of Oak from Guatemala, shows this in a striking manner ; and upon considering all their 

 points of structure, no doubt seems to remain about the Oak and Walnut really belong- 

 ing to the same Matural Alliance. 



Fig. CC. — Fagus sylvatica ; 1. <J catkins; 2. Cj do. ; 3. the latter, with the scales of the 

 involucre stripped off to show the ovaries at the apex; 4. a 2 flower; 5. a half-grown O with the 

 involucre, now consisting of consolidated scales, forced back; 6. a ripe involucre opening and exposing 

 the nuts ; 7. a transverse section of a ripe nut; 8. the same of a young ovary (from Nets) ; y. a vertical 

 section of the 9 flower of Quercus pedunculata. 



