DENDROLOGY. 



151 



FAGUS. 



Monoecia Polyandria. Linn. Amentaceas. Juss. Astringent, tonic, emollient. 



Red Beech. Fagus ferruginea. 



This species of Beech is 

 almost exclusively confined 

 to the north-eastern parts of 

 the United States, and to 

 the provinces of Canada, 

 New Brunswick and Nova 

 Scotia. In the state of 

 Maine, New Hampshire and 

 Vermont it is so abundant 

 as often to constitute exten- 

 sive forests, the finest of 

 which grow on fertile, level 

 or gently sloping lands which 

 are proper for the culture of 

 corn. 



The red beech equals 

 the white species in diameter, 

 but not in height ; and as it ramifies nearer the earth, and is 

 more numerously divided, it has a more massy summit and the 

 appearance of more tufted foliage. Its leaves are equally brilliant, 

 a little larger and thicker and have longer teeth. Its fruit is of 

 the same form, but is only half as large, and is garnished with 

 firmer and less numerous points. The flowers are similar to 

 those of the white beech though smaller, and put forth in May 

 or June. To these differences must be added a more important 

 one in the wood: a red beech 15 or 18 inches in diameter 

 consists of 3 or 4 inches of sap and 13 or 14 inches of heart, 

 the inverse of which proportion is found in the white beech. 



The wood of the red beech is stronger, tougher and more 

 compact. In the state of Maine and the British Provinces, 

 where the oaks are rare, it is employed with the sugar maple and 



PLATE XXVII. 

 Fig. 1. A leaf and fruit. Fig. 2. A nut. 



