Populus.] LXXIII. AMENTACE^E. 415 



scales as well as the stigmas more deeply divided. Stamens usually 6 

 to 8. 



In woods and forests, throughout Europe and Kussian Asia, from the 

 Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle. In Britain, apparently more fre- 

 quent in Scotland and Ireland than in England. Fl. early spring. 



3. P. nigra, Linn. (fig. 935). Black or Italian P. — A tall, quick-grow- 

 ing tree, readily assuming a somewhat pyramidal form, quite glabrous, 

 with very glutinous buds. Leaves broadly rhomboidal or nearly tri- 

 angular, tapering at the top, the lower angles rounded, the edge crenated 

 or serrated, green on both sides. Catkins loose, about 2 inches long, 

 the scales hairy only at the tips. Stamens more numerous than in P. 

 alba and P. tremula, and the lobes of the stigmas shorter and broader. 



In moist places, the borders of streams, &c, in central and southern 

 Europe, and temperate Kussian Asia. In northern Europe it has 

 been much planted, and is now common in Scandinavia as well as 

 in Britain, but it is not indigenous in England. Fl. early spring. 

 The Lombardy Poplar is a cultivated variety (P. fastigiata), of Eastern 

 origin. 



LXXIV. CONIFERS. THE PINE FAMILY. 



Trees or shrubs, mostly with resinous juice. Leaves stiff, 

 and in the European genera always entire, either subulate or 

 linear, or short and scale-like. Flowers monoecious or dioecious, 

 in cylindrical or short catkins, with closely-packed scales, or 

 the females rarely solitary. Stamens inserted either on the 

 axis of the catkin within the scales, or the anther-cells sessile 

 on the inside of the scales themselves, which then form a part 

 of the stamens. Ovules and seeds naked, that is, without 

 ovary, style, or pericarp, either inserted within the catkin- 

 scales, or solitary and quite exposed. 



An extensive Order, spread over the whole globe, although within 

 the tropics chiefly confined to mountainous districts. In the northern 

 hemisphere Conifers often form vast forests, and include some of the 

 loftiest trees known. A large number of exotic species are generally 

 planted, and some to such an extent as to cover large tracts of country. 

 The very peculiar structure of the flowers and the seeds of this and the 

 adjoining small family of Cycadece, has referred them to a separate 

 class (Oymnosperms) distinct both from Dicotyledons and Monocoty- 

 ledons. 



Male catkins cylindrical, with 2 anther-cells to each scale. Fruit 



a dry cone, with 2 winged seeds within each scale . . . 1. PlNUS. 



Male catkins small, with 4 anther-cells to each scale. Fruit small 



and succulent, containing 2 or 3 hard seeds 2. Junipbrus. 



Male catkins small, with 3 to 8 anther-cells to each of the upper 



scales. Fruit a single seed, half-immersed in a succulent cup . 3. Taxus. 



The most commonly planted Coniferce, not belonging to the above 

 genera, are species of Cypress, resembling Junipers in foliage and male 

 flowers, but the fruit is larger and woody, with few or many small 



