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Zbc ZvccB of the Moot). 



By Catharine F. Ripley. 



Plate XIV. 



1"^HE Beech i^Fagns sylvatica) is a tree of the first magnitude, 

 frequently attaining a height of 90 or 100 ft., with a 

 circumference of trunk from 12 to 22 ft. It is generally 

 allowed to be one of the four indigenous trees of our island, 

 although so great an authority as Caesar states that in Britain all 

 sorts of trees grow, except the Beech and the Fir. 



It is in the great chalk districts that we find the Beech in its 

 native splendour, and especially so in the forests and woods of 

 Bucks, Herts, Berks, Hampshire, and Kent. It will grow well 

 on most dry soils, but it is always found in the greatest perfection 

 in a sandy, calcareous loam, or in fresh sandy loam on clay or 

 rock. It belongs to the Order Cupulifer^, the leading 

 characteristics of which are — flowers of two kinds on the same 

 tree, and the fruit enclosed in a capsule. 



Many splendid examples of old or large trees are met with in 

 various parts of the kingdom. Of these the King's Beech, at 

 Ashridge, has a clear trunk of 75 ft. and a full height of 118 ft. 

 The Knowle Beech, in Kent, is 27 ft. in girth, with a diameter of 

 head of 352 ft. At Bicton, in Devonshire, a famous Beech tree 

 is 29 ft. in girth, and over 100 ft. in height. The Forest of Dean 

 is celebrated for its magnificent Beeches ; the five High Beeches 

 near Coleford Meend are noble trees, and, as they grow on high 

 ground with no other large timber near them, they form a very 

 fine object, and can be distinguished from a great distance ; the 

 third is the tallest — its height is 108 ft., girth, 18 ft. 6 in., at about 

 6 ft. from the ground. The Danby Beeches, also in the Forest 

 of Dean, rival the High Beeches in size and beauty ; the largest 

 is 21 ft. in girth, at 5 ft. from the ground. Some beautiful 

 examples of Beech are also found in the other great forests of the 

 kingdom, particularly in the New Forest. At Norton Prior}-, 

 Cheshire, some trees measure from 11 to 15 ft. in girth at about 

 3 ft. from the ground. The Burnham Beeches, near Maidenhead, 



