754 



THE CATKIN FAMILY. 



sessile scales, each with 2 small lobes or adherent scales inside. Sta- 

 mens about 8, irregularly inserted on the scale itself, without any 

 perianth ; the anther-cells distinct, on very short, forked filaments. Fe- 

 male catkins very small, forming a sessile bud, with closely packed, nar- 

 row scales, the outer ones empty. Flowers 2 within each scale, crowded 

 in the upper part of the catkin, each one enclosed in a minute, jagged 

 inner scale. Perianth combined with the ovary at the base, with a 

 minute, toothed border. Ovary 2-celled, with a pendulous ovule in 

 each cell. Styles 2. Fruits usually clustered, each consisting of a 

 hard nut, nearly enclosed in a leafy involucre, unequally lobed and 

 jagged, formed of the very much enlarged inner scales of the catkin. 



A genus of but very few species, spread over the temperate regions of 

 the northern hemisphere, 



1. Common Hazel. Corylus Avellana, Linn. (Fig. 907.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 723. Nut. Hazel-nut. Cob-nut. Filbert.) 



A shrub, or sometimes a small tree. 

 Leaves broadly obovate or orbicular, 

 doubly toothed or slightly lobed, 

 coarse and downy on both sides. Male 

 catkins drooping, l£ to 2 inches long, 

 the females resembling small leaf-buds, 

 with shortly protruding, red stigmas. 

 After flowering the minute inner bracts 

 enlarge very rapidly, so as to form the 

 leafy involucre commonly called the 

 hush of the nut. 



In woods and thickets, throughout 

 Europe and central and Russian Asia, 

 except the extreme north. Abundant 

 in Britain. Fl. early spring, before the 

 leaves are out. 



Fig. 907. 



YI. BEECH. FAGUS. 



Flowers monoecious, the males in globular, pendulous catkins ; the 

 scales small, and falling off very early. Perianth campanulate, shortly 

 stalked, 4- to 6-lobed (formed of the inner scales under each catkin- 

 scale), containing 8 to 12 stamens, with long protruding filaments and 



