AMENTACEiE. 



747 



in the north and the west only where 

 planted. It is indeed doubtful whether 

 it be really indigenous anywhere in 

 Britain. Fl. early spring, before the 

 leaves come out. It varies with the leaves 

 nearly smooth and glabrous, and the 

 bark becomes corky, even on the young 

 branches, more frequently than in the 

 icych JE. ; but the supposed species esta- 

 blished on these characters do not come 

 true from seed. 



Fig. 901. 



LXXI. THE CATKIN FAMILY. AMENTACE^. 



Trees or shrubs, with alternate flat leaves, usually with stipules, 

 and small, unisexual flowers, in cylindrical, oblong, or globular 

 spikes, called catkins, which are usually dense, with closely packed, 

 scale-like bracts, rarely loose, or with minute deciduous scales. 

 Stamens in the male catkins 2 or more (rarely united into 1) 

 within each scale, usually accompanied by 2 or more smaller 

 scales, either distinct or forming in a few cases an irregular or 

 oblique perianth, or rarely entirely deficient. Female catkins 

 either like the males, with 1, 2, or 3 flowers within each scale, or 

 reduced to a sessile bud, with 2 or 3 flowers in the centre, sur- 

 rounded by the lower empty scales of the catkin ; within each 

 scale are also usually 2 or 3 inner scales. Perianth none, or 

 closely combined with the ovary, with a minute, free, entire or 

 toothed border. Ovary 1-celled or several-celled, with 2 or more 

 styles, always resulting in a 1-celled fruit, which is either a 1- 

 seeded nut, or a several-seeded capsule opening in 2 valves. The 

 catkin-scales, or the inner scales, or both, usually persist, and are 

 sometimes enlarged into an involucre, either around or under 

 the fruit. Seeds without albumen, at least in the British genera. 



