102 LETTER XXXV. 



spikes, consisting of very short pedicels (Jig. 2.), bear- 

 ing obliquely on one side about twelve stalkless broad 

 anthers, surrounded by about six green scales. These 

 spikes fall off soon after the anthers have burst and 

 discharged their pollen. 



The pistil-bearing flowers, grow in clusters of two, 

 three, or more (fig. 4.), and are composed of an oval, 

 downy ovary, crowned by a minute four-lobed calyx 

 (fi,g. 4. «.), four ver\- small petals {fig. 4. 6.), and a 

 pair of fringed stigmas, curved in opposite directions. 

 The interior of the ovary presents a minute cavity, 

 in which is one erect, egg-shaped ovule (fig. 5. «.), 

 seated on a pale lobed substance, a longitudinal sec- 

 tion of which is extremely similar in form to the Rus- 

 sian eagle. The latter substance may be supposed 

 to contribute to the nutrition of the embryo, but its 

 use has not been yet sufficiently inquired into. 



In course of time, the stamen-bearing flowers fall 

 off*, as has already been stated, the pistil-bearing 

 flowers alter their appearance, lose their stigmas and 

 all trace of a calyx and petals, become much increased 

 in size, and at last change to clusters of oblong, deep- 

 green, fleshy cases (fig. 7.)» which crack irregularly 

 and drop, leaving behind them the pale brown tes- 

 selated nuts, that are sold in the fruiterers' shops 

 (fig. 8.). Examine one of these nuts, with which you 

 ought to be well acquainted, because it is of such every 

 day occurrence ; and you will find that it might serve 

 as a text for a long and curious disquisition. With 

 only the most striking points however do I propose to 

 occupy your attention. 



