CUP U LIFERS. 293 



smooth, deeply and sinuately s-g-lobed, bright green on both sides, on long 

 petioles ; lobes divaricate, sparingly toothed, with broad, open, deep sinuses, 

 which extend two thirds to the mid-vein, or farther ; cups very scaly. A 

 large tree. May. 



2. Castanea. Barren flowers in separate clusters, in long aments ; 

 calyx 5-6-parted ; perfect stamens 8-15. Fertile flowers 2-3 together, 

 in a prickly, 4-lobed involucre ; calyx-border 5-6-lobed ; ovary 3-6- 

 celled, with 10-15 ovules ; styles 3-6, capillary.; nuts 2-3 together, in- 

 closed in the enlarged, thick, coriaceous involucre. Chiefly trees. 



C. VESCA (Chestnut). Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, marked 

 with very prominent, straight veins ; sterile aments long, pendulous, fertile 

 flowers yellowish white, very abundant, appearing after the leaves are full- 

 grown ; nuts 2-3 together, of a peculiar, rich brown, hairy above, flattened 

 on the sides, inclosed in a grean, very prickly, 4-parted involucre. A large 

 forest-tree. July. 



3. Fagus. Barren flowers in small heads, on nodding peduncles ; 

 calyx 5-6-cleft ; stamens 5-12. Fertile flowers mostly 2 together, in- 

 closed within a prickly involucre, bracted at base ; calyx with 4-5 su- 

 bulate lobes ; ovary 3-celled ; cells 2-ovuled ; styles 3, filiform. Nuts 

 i-seeded, acutely triangular, 2 together in the prickly, 4-lobed invo- 

 lucre. Trees. 



F. FERRUGINEA (Beecli). Leaves oblong-ovate, acuminate, with distinct 

 teeth, light green, withering and mostly persistent in the winter ; flowers 

 appearing with the leaves ; barren yellowish, soft-pubescent, in little, globu- 

 lar clusters, on slender peduncles, 2' long ; nuts usually 2 together, dark 

 brown, with an oily, sweet kernel. A forest-tree. May. 



4. Corylus. Barren flowers in long, drooping aments; anthers 

 i-celled. Fertile flowers several together, in terminal and lateral 

 heads ; calyx none ; ovaries several, 2-celled ; cells i-ovuled ; stigmas 

 2, filiform. Nut bony, ovoid, surrounded by the enlarged, leafy cori- 

 aceous involucre. Shrubs. 



C. AMERICANA (Hazel-nut). Young branches glandular-pubescent ; 

 leaves cordate, rounded, acuminate, coarsely serrate ; stigmas of the fertile 

 buds red, forming a little tuft at the top of the bud ; involucre somewhat 

 campanulate below, dilated. A shrub, 3-8 feet high. April. 



5. Ostrya. Barren flowers in drooping aments; stamens 8-12, 

 furnished with a roundish, ciliate bract, instead of a calyx. Fertile 

 flowers numerous, with small, deciduous bracts in loose aments, each 

 inclosed in an inflated, sac-like involucre. Ovaiy 2-celled, 2-ovuled. 



O. VIRGINICA (Iron-wood'). Leaves ovate or oblong-ovat3, acuminate, 

 sheathing, and unequally serrate, petiolate, somewhat pubescent ; fertile 

 aments resembling a cluster of hops ; involucre-scales bristly at base. A 

 small, slender tree. April-May. 



