608 FLORA OF TEXAS. 



drical aments; calyx 5-6-parted; stamens 8-15; anthers 

 2-celled; fertile flowers 1-3, inclosed iu the bell-shai)ed at 

 length globose 4-valved and very prickly involucre ; calyx 

 5-6-lobed, superior; abortive stamens 5-12; ovary 3-6- 

 celled; ovules single or by pairs in each cell; stigmas 3-6, 

 bristle-like, spreading; nuts 1-3, roundish, compressed, or 

 plano-convex; cotyledons very thick. — Trees or sliruhsy 

 with oblong petioled sharply-serrate and straight-veined 

 leaves. 



C. YESCA, L. {Chestnut.) Leaves obiong-lanceolate, 

 acuminate, coarsely serrate, smooth on both sides; nuts 

 mostly 3, the middle one flattened, the 2 outer ones plano- 

 convex, dark brown. Dry woods. April. — A large tree ; 

 leaves G'-7' long. 



C. PUMiLA, Michx. (Cldnquepin) Leaves oblong, 

 acute, or obtuse, finely serrate, hoary-tomentose beneath ; 

 nuts solitary, nearly globular. (C. nana, MuhL, a form with 

 larger leaves and nuts.) Dry sandy soil. April-May. — 

 A large shrul) or small tree; leaves, involucre, and nut 

 smaller than those of the preceding. 



FAGUS, Tourn. Beech. 



Sterile floivers capitate, on long and drooping peduncles, 

 with deciduous bracts; calyx bell-shaped, 5-6-cleft; sta-* 

 mens 8-12; anthers 2-celled; fertile flowers solitary or by 

 l^airs, pednncled, surrounded with numerous linear bracts 

 and a 4-lobed involucre ; calyx of 4-5 subulate lobes ; ovary 

 3 -celled, with two ovules in each cell ; styles 3, filiform ; 

 nuts commonly 2, acutely 3-aiigled, inclosed in the soft- 

 spiny 4-valved involucre; cotyledons thick and fleshy. — 

 Trees, with whitish bark, and straight-veined leaves ex- 

 panding with the flowers. 



F. FERRUGINEA, Ait. Leaves oblong-ovate or rhombic, 

 acute, finely serrate, silky on both sides when young, when 



