320 WEEDS AND USEFUL PLANTS. 



fewer, on rigid axillary peduncles about half an incli long. Nuts pubescent, pale reddish 

 brown. 



Low moist woodlands: throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. September - 

 October. 



Obs. The density and uniform texture of the wood render it valuable 

 for many purposes, such as plane-stocks, and other implements of the 

 mechanic arts. The leaves, especially of young trees, are remarkably 

 persistent, after they are killed by frost, often remaining on the branches 

 until late in the ensuing spring. The oily seeds afford a nutritious food 

 for swine. 



The Beech, although a symmetrical and pretty tree, is seldom culti- 

 vated iu this country either for shade or ornament. And yet it would 

 seem, from VIRGIL'S Pastorals, that in the land of sweet do nothing 

 (" dolce far niente "), the Italian peasant of ancient times found an en- 

 viable enjoyment under its spreading branches : 



-" patulae recula/ns sub tegmine FAGI." 



4. CORTLUS, Tournef. HAZLE-NUT. 



[Greek, Korys, a helmet, or cap ; in allusion to the involucrate fruit.] 



STAMINATE FL. Aments cylindric, with imbricated bracteal scales. 

 Calyx of two collateral scales beneath the bract, and all three united at 

 base. Stamens 8 ; anthers 1-celled, subsessile, bristly at apex. PISTIL- 

 LATE FL. from subterminal buds, in small clusters at the ends of the 

 branches ; involucre of 2 - 3 (at first minute but subsequently eufarging) 

 villous leaflets, which are lacerate on the margin and coherent at base, 

 embracing 1-2 flowers. Calyx adherent to the ovary, the limb very 

 minute, denticulate, villous. Ovary 2-celled ; ovules solitary ; stigmas 2, 

 elongated, filiform. Nut (by abortion) 1-seeded, roundish-ovoid, obtuse, 

 subcompressed, bony, smooth, solitary in the enlarged foliaceous lacerate- 

 dentate involucre. Shrubs : the flowers preceding the leaves. 



1. C. AVELLA'NA, L. Leaves orbicular cordate, acuminate; stipules 

 ovate-oblong, obtuse ; involucre about the length of the fruit. 



AVELLAN CORYLUS. Filbert. Hazle-nut. 



Stem 6-10 feet high, branching from the base. Leaves 3-5 inches long, often obovate- 

 cordate, doubly serrate ; petioles % % of an inch in length. Pistillate flowers few in 

 scaly clusters, the scales (or bracts) enlarging, uniting and forming the involucres. Stig- 

 mas purple. Nuts rather large. 



Yards, &c. Native of Asia Minor. Fl. March. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. The Filbert, or Hazle-nut of the old world is now becoming 

 known among us, and not unfrequently cultivated. "The bushes 

 were originally imported into Italy from Pontus, and [the fruit] known 

 among the Romans by the appellation of Nux Pontica, which, in the 

 progress of time was changed into that of Nux Avellana ; from the 



