


NAPURAL ORDERS. ABB 
or 3. The involucre of bracts forms the cupule of the fruit. 
The perianth adheres to the oe ee od 
ovary, which is 3-celled, with ~ a 
2 ovules in each cell. As a rule 
only 1 ovule (at the most 2) 
is developed in each flower ; 
first 1 ovule in each cell is 
suppressed, then 1 of the re- 
maining 3 grows at the expense o 
of the other 2 : Fico. 125.—STAMINATE FLOWER, - 
ae : : BEECH. 
The structure of the Hazel is p, fringed perianth. 
very similar to that of the Oak; Fie. 126.—PIstTILLATE FLOWER, 
: BEECH. 
there are 8 stamens instead of | oe 
12, and the cupule is leafy, forming the well-known ‘husk ” 
of the nut (“Elementary Botany,” Plate HI, Hig: DB)o 
In the Sweet Chestnut the 
spiny cupule described above 
should be noted; the flowers 
closely resemble those of the 
Oak, except that the perianth 
of the staminate flowers is 
more developed than in those 

127 128 

Fic. 127.—Srammvare Frower, of the Oak. 
Oe ae The staminate 
erlanth.  _swalicinee. een 
; oe and _ pistillate 
Fig. 128.—PISTILLATE FLOWER, a 
Oar. flowers are on different trees ; 
ec forming cupule; sy, thus cross-pollination 1s pro- 
ee | bable. Willows are pollinated 
by insects, Poplars by wind. For the structure of Willow 
catkins see “ Elementary Botany,” Figs. 55 to 57. 
The Vhite Poplar, which grows along streams and in open 
moist woods, has a light grey or ash-coloured bark; the 
leaves and young shoots are covered with a white, cottony 
substance. | | 
The bracts of the staminate flowers are jagged at the top 
(Fig. 130, 6). Both staminate and pistillate flowers have 
perianths ; the stamens are 8 in number, the carpels 2. 
