384 CLASS XXI. ORDER IX. 



The wood is hard, close grained, and heavy. In some parts of 

 the country it has acquired the name oi Lever wood, from the use 

 to which it is applied. 



396. PLATANUS. 



Platanus occidentalis. L. Plane Tree. Button Wood. 



Sycamore. 



Leaves lobed-angular; branches whitish. Mich, 



This tree, commonly known by the name of Button wood, at- 

 tains to an extraordinary size. Trees are said to be found in 

 the western states, whose trunks measure from forty to fifty 

 feet in circumference. With us it is one of the largest native 

 trees. The leaves are broad and lobed, with many acute seg- 

 ments. When young they are downy at the veins underneath. 

 On breaking off the petiole, the next year's bud is found con- 

 cealed within its base. The flowers grow in balls or globular 

 aments, and are succeeded by long seeds, furnished with a fine 

 reddish down at base. The receptacle of the seeds, constituting 

 the nucleus of the ball, is hard and woody, and closely enveloped 

 by a regular net work, which may be easily detached. The balls 

 are retained all winter on the trees by their tough, fibrous stalks. 

 Each year the outer bark of the branches scales off to a deter- 

 mined extent, leaving a white surface beneath it. This circum- 

 stance distinguishes the tree at sight from all others around it. 



The wood is fine grained, and is susceptible of a good polish. 

 It is however said to be liable to warp, and by no means durable 

 when exposed to the weather. 



MONADELPHIA. 



397. PINUS. 

 PiNUS RESiNOSA. Norway Pine. 



Leaves in pairs, elongated, with long sheathe; 

 cones conic-ovate, rounded at base, half as long as tlie 

 leaves; scales unarmed, dilated in the middle. 

 Syn. Pin us kuera. Mx. f. 



A tall tree, sometimes called Red pine from the cast of color 

 exhibited by its bark. The timber is heavy, impregnated with 



