CONIFEEJS. ^iSl 



underneath; the leafstalks particularly slender, so that the blade trembles 

 with the shghtest motion of the air. Catkins much smaller than in the 

 white P., the scales as well the stigmas more deeply divided. Stamens 

 usually 6 to 8. 



In woods and forests, throughout Em'ope and Russian Asia, from the 

 MediteiTanean to the Arctic Cu'cle. In Britain, apparently more frequent 

 in Scotland than in England or Ireland. Fl. early spring. 



3. Black Poplar. Populus ni^a, LLnn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1910.) 



A tall, quick-growing tree, readily assuming a somewhat pyramidal form, 

 quite glabrous, with very glutinous buds. Leaves broadly rhomboidal or 

 nearly triangular, tapering at the top, the lower angles roimded, the edge 

 crenated or serrated, green on both sides. Catkins loose, about 2 inches 

 long, the scales hairy only at the tips. Stamens more numerous than in 

 the Aspen or the white P., and the lobes of the stigmas shorter and broader. 



In moist places, the borders of streams, etc, in central and southern Eu- 

 rope, and the more temperate portions of Russian Asia. In northern Europe 

 it has been much planted, and is now common in Scandinavia as well as in 

 Britain, but probably not truly indigenous even in southern England. Fl. 

 early spring. The well-known Lomhardy P. is beheved to be a cultivated 

 variety of the hlach P., of Eastern origin. 



LXXIII. THE PINE FAMILY. CONIFEE^. 



Trees or shrubs, mostly with resinous juice. Leaves stiff, and 

 in the European genera always entire, either subulate or linear, 

 or short and scale-like. Flowers monoecious or dioecious, in 

 cylindrical or short catkins, with closely-packed scales, or the 

 females rarely solitary. Stamens inserted either on the axis 

 of the catkin under the scales, or the anther-cells sessUe on 

 the inside of the scales themselves, which then form a part of 

 the stamens. Ovules and seeds naked, that is, without ovary, 

 style, or pericarp, either inserted luider the catkin-scales or 

 solitary and quite exposed. 



An extensive Order, spread over the whole globe, although within the 

 tropics chiefly confined to mountainous districts. In the northern hemi- 

 sphere they often form vast forests, and include the loftiest trees known. 

 Three species only are indigenous to Britain, but a large number of exotic 

 ones are generally planted, and some to such an extent as now to cover large 

 tracts of country. The very pecuhar structure of the flowers and seeds of 

 this and the adjoining small tropical family of Cycadece, has induced many 

 botanists to consider them as a separate class, distinct both irora Dicotyle- 

 dons and Monocotyledons. 

 Male catkins cylindrical, with 2 anther-cells to each scale. Tniit a dry 



cone, with 2 winged seeds under each scale 1. Pine. 



Male catkins small, with 4 anther-cells to each scale. Fruit small and 



succulent, containing 2 or 3 hard seeds 2. JuNIPEB, 



Male catkins small, with 3 to 8 anther-ceUa to each of the upper scales. 



Fruit a single seed, half immersed in a succulent cup 3. Tew. 



2 X 



