474 URTICACER. [ Uliaus. 
glabrous, slenderly stalked; samara obliquely obovate to oblong, . 
stalked, about an inch long, shortly 2-cleft at the apex and the 
Hap.—Not unfrequent in tropical forests of the Pegu ‘Yomah and along 
choungs in the dry forests of Prome.—Fl. J an.-Feb.; Fr. March.—s: 1. 
Remarxs.— Wood red-coloured, strong. Adapted for house-building. 
AMENTACEZ. 
Flowers small, unisexual, in cylindrical, oblong, or globular 
catkins, usually covered with densely packed scale-like bracts, 
rarely with loose or with minute deciduous scales. Stamens in 
males 2 or more (rarely united into 1) under each scale, usually 
accompanied by 2 or more smaller scales, either distinct or formmg 
sometimes an. irregular or oblique perianth of 5 or 6 segments, ot 
rarely entirely deficient. Female catkins either like the 2 
with 1, 2, or 3 flowers under each scale, or reduced to a sessile bud, 
with 2 or 8 flowers in the centre, surrounded by the lower empty 
scales of the catkin; under each scale are usually 2 or 3 im 
erianth none, or closely combined with the ovary, with 
a free, entire or toothed, minute border. Ovary 1- or severa -cell 2 
with 2 or more styles always resulting in a 1-celled fruit, either 
drupaceous or dry, and if dry free and exserted or in various W2; 
enclosed in the involucre. The catkin-scales or the inner scales, oF 
both, usually persisting, and sometimes enlarged in an involucre, 
either more or less enclosing the fruit or forming a cup under the 
fruit. Albumen none.—Trees or shrubs, with simple alternate leaves. 
Stipules more or less peristent. 
_ _Not a very large order, but very important to the forester. It 
includes the oak, hazelnut, alder, birch, beech and chestnut. ‘The 
timber of many is valuable, and the European and Americay 
is good for tanning, while that of the birches contains @ 
oil, and a peculiar resinous substance called betuline or birch-cam- 
phor. Cork comes from Q. suber. Galls form chiefly on Querews 
infectoria, but inferior ones are found also on some Indian oaks- 
‘ax is obtained from the berries of Myrica cerifera and some other 
American species. The fruit of Myrica Nagi is edible. ne 
