320 



WEEDS AlsB USEFUL PLANTS. 



fewer, on rigid axillary peduncles abont half an incli long. 2^ui-s puLescent, pale reddish 

 trov%-n. 



Low moist -woodlands; throughout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. September- 

 October. 



Ods. The densit}^ and uniform texture of the wood render it vrduable 

 for many purposes, — such as plane-stocks, and other implements of the 

 mechanic arts. The leaves, especially of young trees, are remarkably 

 persistent, after they are killed by frost, often rei;Qaining on the branches 

 until late in the ensuing spring. The oily seeds afford a nutritious food 

 for swine. 



The Beech, although a symmetrical and pretty tree, is seldom culti- 

 vated in this countr}^ either for shade or ornament. And yet it would 

 seem, from Viegil's Pastorals, that in the land of siceet do nothing 

 ("dolce far niente "), the Italian peasant of ancient tim.es found an en- 

 viable enjoyment under its spreading branches : 



'" patulae recul/ans suli tegmine Fagi."" 



A. COR'YLUS, Toimief, Hazle-xut. 



[Greek, Korys, a helmet, or cap; in allusion to the involucrate fruit.] 



Stamixats Fl. Aments cylindric, Vv'ith imbricated bracteal scales. 

 Cahjx of two collateral scales beneath the bract, and all three united at 

 base. Siamens 8 ; anthers 1-celled, subsessile, bristly at apex. Pistil- 

 late Fl. froi^ subterminal buds, in small clusters at the ends of the 

 branches ; involucre of 2-3 (at first minute but subsequently enlarging) 

 villous leaflets, which are lacerate on the margin and coherent at base, 

 embracing 1 - 2 flowers. Calyx adherent to the ovary, — the limb xery 

 minute, denticulate, villous. Oxary 2-celled ; ovules solitary ; stigmas 2, 

 elongated, filiform. Nut (by abortion) 1-seeded, roundish-ovoid, obtuse, 

 subcompressed, bony, smooth, solitary in the enlarged foliaceous lacerate- 

 dentate involucre. Shrubs : the flowers preceding the leaves. 



1. C. Avella'na, L. Leaves orbicular cordate, acuminate; stipules 

 ovate-oblong, obtuse ; involucre about the length of the fruit. 



Avellan Coeylls, Filbert. Hazle-nut. 



Stem 0"-lO feet high, branching from the base. Leaves 3-5 inches long, often oboTate- 

 cordate, doubly serrate; petioles i-i an inch in length. Pistillate flowers f<:^ ^xv 

 scaly clusters, — the scales (or tracts) enlarging, uniting and forming the involucres. Stig- 

 mas ])urp]e. Nuts rather large. 



Yards, &c. Native of Asia Minor. Fl. March. Fr. Sept. 



Obs. The Filbert, or Hazle-nut of the old world is now becoming 

 known among us, — and not unfrequently cultivated. " The bushes 

 were originally im.ported into Italy from Pontus, and [the fruit] known 

 among the Romans by the appellation of Kux Fontica, — which, in the 

 progress of time was changed into that of Nux Avcllana ; from the 



