498 



BOTANY 



In the Birch (Betula alba) the male inflorescences appear in autumn, the female 

 not until the following spring ; both are cylindrical and many - flowered. The 

 fruit is winged, and is borne in groups of three in the axil of each bracteal scale ; the 

 scales become detached from the axis and fall off together with the fruit (Fig. 447). 



Geographical Distribution. — The Cupuliferae constitute the most important 

 deciduous trees of the forests of the whole northern hemisphere, but only occur in 

 the Tropics in the cooler mountainous regions. 



Fio. 448.— Juglans regia. Branch with raale (a) and female (&) inflorescences ; 2, a group of male 

 flowers ; a, stamen seen from the inner side ; 6, the same seen from the side ; 3, a female 

 flower ; 4, the same in longitudinal section ; 5, fruit, with pericarp partly removed ; 6, the 

 same in longitudinal section. — Officinal. (After Wossidlo.) 



This family supplies many plants of economic value. The wood of the Oak is 

 particularly valuable on account of its hardness and density, while the bark is used 

 for tanning, and the fruit as a cheap substitute for coffee. Cork is obtained from 

 the Cork-Oak (Quercus Suber and Q. occidentalis) of Southern Europe. The wood 

 of the Beech is largely used for firewood, and from the seeds, Beech-nuts, oil is 

 derived. The seeds of the Chestnut are edible, and form in the south of Europe 

 an important article of food. 



Officinal. — The bark of some species of Oak, Cortex Quercus, and the acorns, 



