320 



WEEDS AXD USEFUL PLANTS. 



fewer, on rigid axillary peduncles about lialf an inch long. JVids pubescent, pale reddish 

 brown. 



Low moist woodlands : througliout the United States. Fl. May. Fr. September - 

 October. 



Obs. The density and uniform texture of the wood render it valuable 

 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 remaining 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 tliis country either for shade or ornament. And yet it would 

 seem, from Virgil s Pastorals, that in the land of sweet do nothing 

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

 viable enjoyment under its spreading branches : 



patvlae reculoms sub tegmirie Fagi." 



4. GORTLUS, Tournef. Hazle-nut. 



• [Greek, Ko)-ys, a hehnet, or cap ; in allusion to the involucrate fruit.] 



Stajiinate Fl. Aments cylindric, with imbricated bracteal scales. 

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

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

 LA.TE Fl. from 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 liinb very 

 minute, denticulate, villous. Ovary 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, i. Leaves orbicular cordate, acuminate; stipules 

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



AvELLAN CoEYLUs. Filbert. Hazle-nut. 



stem 6-10 feet high, branching from the base. Leaves 3-5 inches long, often obovate- 

 cordate, doubly serrate ; petioles of an inch in length. Pist€laie flowers few in 



scaly clusters, — ^the scales (or bi-acts) enlarging, uniting and forming the involucres. Siig- 

 7)KLS purple. JVuts rather large. 



Yards, &c. Native of Asia Minor. J'Z. March. _FV. 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 imported into Italy fi^om Poutus. and [the fruit] known 

 among the Romans by the appellation of Nux Pontica, — which, in the 

 p'ogress of time was changed into that of Nux Avellana ; from the 



