66 DICOTYLEDONE^E. 



transferred to the branches, a circumstance so con- 

 spicuously exemplified in the Cedrus Libani. The 

 multifidous growth of the aged tree is constitutional ; 

 the irregularities observable in young subjects are 

 accidental, caused by highly favouring circumstances 

 of soil, situation, or seasons, and sometimes by wounds 

 received from birds, squirrels, or insects. 



The next order to be noticed is the Amentacece. 

 It is divided into five sub-orders, which contain a 

 majority of our hardy forest trees. The grand dis- 

 tinction is the separate station and form of the male 

 flowers commonly called catkins, or botanically Amen- 

 tum : hence the title of the order. 



The greater number of plants arranged here are 

 very differently constituted to the pines and firs 

 which have just been under review. We have ob- 

 served that, among those, buds, or vital gems, are 

 partially and pretty regularly disposed over the 

 exterior of the plant ; but on these the whole axis 

 or body of the wood is enveloped in a cloak of 

 vitality, impregnated, as it were, with latent buds in 

 every part, viz. roots, stem, and branches. This is 

 obviously certain as respects the Salix, Pbpulus, 

 Cbrylus and others ; because every part or portion 

 of these members can eject both roots and shoots in 

 any situation and in any number, if surrounding 

 circumstances be favourable. Hence the facility 

 with which they are propagated, and the safety with 

 which they may be cut over, pollarded, and trained 

 for any purpose of fencing or the like. 



