PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



85 



growing wild between Loogootee and Shoals, in Martin County, the 

 secoud comity east of Knox. In Jackson and other counties in the 

 southern and southeastern part of the State it is abundant, and grows 

 to a large size, a specimen near Seymour, being menfioned in Case'ft Bo- 

 tanical Index, which measured 22 feet in circumference 2 feet from the 

 grouud, and 70 feet to the first limb. 



A few trees, raised from imported seed, are to be found in various 

 parts of Wabash County, where they grow finely, and under proper 

 conditions, fruit plentifully. Trees near Mount Carmel flower about 

 ^larch 20, and begin to leaf about the middle of April. 



78. (243.) Fagus ferruginea. Beech. 



I have never seen, nor, indeed, heard of a single beech tree growing 

 on the Illinois side of the Wabash ; but immediately across the river, in 

 Knox County, Indiana, a few large trees begin to occur, whilt- back on 

 the hills of both that county and Gibson it is a very common tree. Trees 

 of 3 to 4 feet diameter are not uncommon, while Dr. Schneck records 

 one which measured 122 feet in height. Ordinarily, however, the finest 

 beech trees are decidedly inferior in altitude to the surrounding oak, 

 gum, and other tall forest trees, and 1 should estimate their average 

 height at not more than 90 feet. 



79. (244.) Ostrija virginica. Hop Hornbeam. 



By no means a common tree, but occasionally found, and possibly 

 more numerous in some localities not visited. No measurements. 



80. (245.) Carpinus caroUniana. "Blue Beech"; "W^ater Beech." 

 Very common in rich bottom lands. The largest trees measured were 



30 to 32 feet high, and 1 to IJ feet in diameter, but larger ones may 

 occur. Only four trees were measured, their dimensions being as 

 follows: 



81. (247.) Betula lenta. Cherry Birch; "Black Birch"; "Mahogany 



Birch." 

 Isot uncommon along banks of streams. One tree, forking several feet 

 from the ground, measured 17^ feet in circumference, and was about SO 

 feet high. 



82. (249.) Betula nigra. Eed Birch; River Birch. 



Commoner than the last in similar situations. Young trees, as well as 

 some old ones, with very scaly bark, the projecting laminre very thin, 

 paper-like. Grows commonly 70 to 80 feet high, and occasionally 3 or 



