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DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



A small family consisting of about 5 species, natives of 

 Syria, Himalaya, and North America. 



Eastern Plane (Platanus orientalis). A noble tree attain- 

 ing the height of from 60 to 80 feet, and when standing 

 singly has wide- spreading branches, being well known in 

 parks and gardens in this country as a highly ornamental 

 tree. 



P. acerifolia^ believed to be a distinct species, is much 

 grown about London as the Oriental Plane ; it differs in its 

 leaves, not being so deeply cut, and it is less disposed (as in 

 the true plane) to branch horizontally. 



It is conspicuous in the vicinity of Mount Lebanon, one 

 near Damascus measuring 40 feet in circumference. 



Western Plane [Platanus occidentalis). A tree attaining a 

 large size, native of North America. In this country it is 

 often injured by the spring frosts, and about the year 1811 

 many trees of it were killed in Scotland and in England. 



P. racemosa^ a native of California, P. Lincleniana and 

 P. Mexicana^ of Mexico, are said to be distinct species. 



Plane tree wood is much prized by cabinet-makers, as it 

 takes a fine polish. 



THE HAZEL NUT AND OAK ALLIANCE. 

 The Oak Family. 



(CUPULIFEE^.) 



Large trees or shrubs, with alternate simple or lobed 

 leaves, furnished with stipules. Flowers generally in cat- 

 kins, monoecious, or dioecious. Fruit a 1 -celled hard-shelled 

 nut, single in a cup, or several together in a valved involucre, 

 which is sometimes winged. 



This family consists of about 330 species, of which about 

 280 belong to the genus Quercus, the greater portion of that 

 number forming extensive forests throughout the Northern, 

 but less abundant in the Southern hemisphere. 



Evergreen Beech — Fagus betuloides and F. Forsteri — are 



