OOPUHFEBOUS PLANTS. 53 



to be monoecious also ; the sterile ones in small drooping 

 heads, with stamens and sepals variable in number, and the 

 fertile ones from the axils of ne\y leaves, usually two 

 together, surrounded by an involucre of many bristle- 

 pointed scales. These develope into the familiar bristly 

 four-valved involucre which encloses the pair of three- 

 cornered nuts at maturity. Each nut is the product of 

 one flower, and contains but one seed; although at first 

 the ovary was (like that of the Oak) three-celled, with two 

 ovules in each cell. 



These resemblances lead us to the conclusion that the 

 Oak and the Beech are nearly related plants. They belong 

 to the same Order {Gupuliferae), as do also the Ironwood, 

 the Chestnut, and the Hazelnut, all of which should be 

 examined and compared, if within reach. 



73. The following are the distinguishing characters of 

 the Order : 



1, The flowers are monoecious, the sterile ones being in 



catkins {or, in Beech, in close heads), the fertile 

 single or in small clusters, with an involucre form- 

 ing at maturity a cup or covering for the 1-seeded nut. 



2. The ovary is at first several-celled, but at maturity is 



1-celled and 1-seeded. 



The pupil will' write out descriptions of one or more 

 representatives of the Order, taking the description of 

 Cucumber for his model. 



