LXX. CUPULlFERiE. 
249 
surrounded by scales, which often form a simple or lobed or parted perianth- 
like involucre. Perianth adnate with the ovary. Ovary 2-6-celled ; styles 
2-6, short, usually stigmatiferous on the inner surface ; ovules usually 2, pen- 
dulous in each cell. Fruit usually of 1 or more 1-seeded nuts, seated in a cup 
or capsular involucre. Albumen 0 ; embryo various. 
A very large Order, found in most countries, embracing the Oak, Beech, Chestnut, etc., 
unknown in tropical and South Africa, and in tropical America. 
1. FAGUS, Linn. 
Shrubs or trees ; buds scaly. Leaves alternate, coriaceous, evergreen or 
deciduous, sometimes plaited, often unequal-sided ; stipules deciduous, mem- 
branous. Flowers monoecious . — Male : Perianth campanulate, 5- or 6-fid. 
Stamens 8-12, inserted round a central disk ; anthers 2-celled, apiculate. 
Female .- 2 or 4, minute, sessile in a 4-lobed involucre, which is covered with 
adnate bracts. Perianth urceolate ; tube adnate with the ovary ; mouth laciniate. 
Ovary inferior, 3-celled ; styles 3, filiform ; ovules 1 in each cell, pendulous. 
Fruit 2—4 3-cornered nuts, enclosed in a 4-valved capsule-like woody lamet- 
lated involucre, each 1-seeded. Seed pendulous ; testa thin; cotyledons thick, 
plaited, coherent. 
A small genus, of 2 or 3 European and North American species, and several Antarct : c- 
American, Chilian, New Zealand, and Tasmanian ones. Though true Beeches, these are 
usually called Birches in the southern hemisphere, because of their small foliage. 
Leaves glabrous, doubly creuate, veinless 1. F. Menziesii. 
Leaves glabrous or pilose, deeply serrate, veined 2. F. fusca. 
Leaves white and downy below, oblong, entire 3. F. Solandri. 
Leaves white and downy below, ovate rounded or cordate at the base, 
entire 4. F. cliff ortioides. 
1. F. Menziesii, Hook. f. FI. N. Z. i. 229. A handsome tree, 80-100 
ft. high; trunk 2-3 diam.; bark silvery, outer layers deciduous; branches 
tabular ; twigs with fulvous pubescence. Leaves deep green, rigid, glabrous, 
■§■ in. long, rhomboid ovate or orbicular, obtuse, deeply doubly creuate ; sti- 
pules linear oblong. Fruiting involucre puberulous, }--} in. long ; segments 
erect, with 5-7 tiers of soft spines having thickened glandular tips. Nuts 
downy, 2- or 3-winged ; wings produced upwards into sharp points. — Hook. 
Ic. PI. t. 652. 
Northern Island : Ruahine range and TYaikare Lake, Bidwill, Colenso. Middle 
Islaud : abundant from Nelson, alt. 3000 feet, Bidwill, to Dusky Bay, Menzies. This is 
fhe representative of the Tasmanian F. Cunninyhamii and Fuegian F. betuloides. The 
“ Birch ” of Otago, and “ Red Birch ” of other colonies. The only species between Lake 
lVainaka and the west coast, Haast. 
2. F. fusca, Hook. f. FI. N. Z. i. 229. A handsome tree, 80-100 
ft. high, sometimes 12 ft. diam. ; branches pubescent. Leaves petioled, 
evergreen, young pilose above and glandular below, not very coriaceous, 1-1} 
in. long, oblong-ovate, deeply serrate ; stipides linear-oblong, very deciduous. 
Male fl. : 1-3 at the end of a viscid, short peduncle; perianth 5-toothed. Fruit- 
ing involucre broadly ovate ; segments with entire or cut membranous scales 
at the back. Nuts winged; wings toothed at the tip. — Hook. Ic. PI. t. 631. 
Var. 0. Leaves more coriaceous, teeth smaller and obtuser, Hook. Ic. PI. t. 630. 
Northern Island : common on the mountains, Banks and So/ander, etc. Middle 
