158 



CSSSONS WITff PLANTS 



tends three naked pistils, each having two styles 

 and being provided with a broad wing. It is 

 seen, therefore, that staminate and pistillate catkins 



Fig. 157. 



Pistillate catkin of 

 blue-beech. 



FiQ. 158. 



Winter catkins of 

 filbert. 



Pio. 159. 



Pistillate flowers 

 of hazel. 



may be very unlike in form and appearance; and 

 this may be true in the catkins of the same kind of 

 plant. 



178a. The pupil will now be interested in the structure of the 

 flower-clusters of the blue-beech or hornbeam. A pistillate catkin 

 is shown in Fig. 157. The three-lobed bracts suggest the birch, 

 but the catkin is so loose and open, and the bracts become so 

 green and leaf-like, that the part would scarcely pass for a cat- 

 kin, — affording another illustration of the endless variety and in- 



