BEECH ASSOCIATION 



245 



levels of the higher trees. Little is known of the mammals of the beecn 

 and maple forest. Deer, bears, wolves, foxes, hares, etc., appear to 

 prefer forests with more undergrowth and herbaceous vegetation. 

 Squirrels are fond of beechnuts, and are probably the chief resident 

 mammals. The fox squirrel, gray squirrel, red squirrel, and other mam- 

 mals of the preceding stages doubtless occur. 



d) Consocies of the decay of a beech. — Succession: Any tree which 

 is torn down by the wind or lightning is attacked by a series of borers, 



Leaf- and Twig-Feeders 



Fig. 244. — The nest of an Io caterpillar in the beech leaves; reduced. 

 Fig. 245. — Woolly aphids {Pemphigus imbricator Fitch) on the twig of the beech; 

 reduced. 



etc., each one helping to prepare the way for those that follow. To 

 illustrate the general principles, the succession of animals in any species 

 of tree might be presented. We have chosen the beech. 



According to Felt (137), living beeches are commonly attacked by the 

 red-horned borer {Ptilinus ruficornis Say) which bores into the bark 

 and wood, and another borer (Anthophilax attenuatus Hald.) which lays 

 eggs in the galleries thus formed. We have examined four stages of the 

 decay of beech trees. 



