358 MONGECIA TETRANDEIA. [CL. XXI. 



8. A'LNUS. ALDER. 



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

 bricated 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. 

 Germen 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 y near, and Ian, a river bank. 



427. 



1. A. glutinosa. 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 ; fer- 

 tile 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 

 Alnus. Eng. .F/.vol. iv. p. 132. 1348, 



9. BTJ'XUS. BOX-TREE. 



Barren Flowers. Calyx of three roundish, concave, spread- 

 ing leaves. Petals two, roundish, concave, spreading. Fila- 

 ments 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, per- 

 manent ; 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. sempervirens. 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 instruments, 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. URTI'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. 

 Seed one, naked, egg-shaped, somewhat compressed, polished, 



