
NATURAL ORDERS 138 
In the majority of species of Alder both sets of catkins 
are developed the year before ay flower, and bloom before 
the leaves. 
The _— The distinctive feature of the Cupuliferz is the 
Cupulifere. Cypu/e, in which the nut is situated. This is 
formed from the bract-like scales which invest the flower. It. 
varies considerably in each genus of the Order ; thus in the 
Hornbeam, instead of being cuplike, it has the form of a large 
three-lobed, leaf-like scale, the nut being situated at its base. 
In the Hazel it is more the shape of a cup; it is leathery in 
texture, but not nearly as hard as that of the Acorn, and is 
far smaller than the leaf-like envelope of the Hornbeam ; it 
spreads out at its edges, exposing the nut inside. In the 
Beech the cupule entirely encloses the nuts, and when ripe 
bursts into four valves. Tlie cupule of the Acorn is cuplike, 
and too well known to need description. That of the Sweet 
Chestnut is extremely prickly, and like that of the Beech, 
also bursts into valves. 
The Hornbeam is not a very tall tree, and has numerous 
short branches. The staminate flowers are in catkins, with 
broad, sessile scales, but there is no perianth ; there are about 
twelve stamens to each scale. ‘The pistillate flowers occur 
two together within each scale, and have a superior perianth ; 
each flower has two carpels. 
The Beech is one of the most beautiful of English trees. Its 
trunk is smooth and straight, its bark also smooth and dark. 
Sometimes the branches begin low down, but often not until 
a fair height is reached. Its buds are very thoroughly 
protected with brown scales, at least 12 in number, closely 
overlapping each other. It is one of the first trees to burst 
its scales in spring, and there is hardly anything more 
delicate in colouring than the first green leaves of the Beech 
with their ciliate margin. 
The staminate flowers of the Beech hang down in long 
stalked tassels. Each flower has a 4- to 6-lobed perianth 
containing 8 to 12 stamens. The pistillate flowers have an 
involucre of bracts forming the cupule; the ovary is 3-celled, 
