Class XXI. Order VIII. 349 



The Beech tree is known in winter by its smooth bark, its 

 narrow, acute buds, and marcescent leaves. The leaves arc 

 ovate, fringed with fine hairs at the edge, furnished with paral- 

 lel veins like those of the Chesnut, and with indentations of mod- 

 erate depth at the edge. Calyx investing the fruit somewhat 

 ovate, muricated, with soft, short prickles. IVut triangular. 



The wood of the beech is not accounted very durable, when 

 exposed to the vicissitudes of weather. 



410. CASTANEA. 

 CASTANEA VESCA. Willd. Chesnut Tree. 



Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, mucronate- 

 serrate, naked underneath. W'dld. 



A very large and majestic tree. The bark of the trunk is 

 coarsely divided by longitudinal fissures. Leaves half a foot 

 long, lanceolate, smooth on both sides, with simple, prominent, 

 parallel veins ending in largo, pointed teeth at the margin, 

 which are separated by obtuse indentations. Aments as long as 

 the leaves, yellowish. The calyx investing the fruit forms a 

 large, globular burr, with acute, compound, crowded spines. 

 Nuts two or three, their upper part villous. 



The American Chesnut tree is generally considered a variety 

 of the European. Its wood is coarse grained, but light and du- 

 rable. It is principally employed in fencing, for which use it 

 furnishes one of the best materials. 



411. QUERCUS. 



QUERCUS ALBA. L. White Oak. 



Leaves somewhat equally pinnatifid, their segments 

 oblong, obtuse, mostly entire ; cup bowl-shaped, rough 

 with tubercles ; acorn ovate. Mich. abr. 



The white oak has long been recognised among us as one of 

 the most valuable productions of our forests. Its name is derived 

 from the whiteness of the bark, a character by which it may be 

 distinguished at any season of the year. The leaves are divid- 

 ed at their sides into a number of oblong, rounded lobes, which 

 are perfectly obtuse or entire, not terminating in points or bris- 

 tles. They are acute at base, their under side pale or glaucous, 



