CHAP. XI.] CUPULIFER^. 197 



a hairy calyx, cut into teeth at the tip (c). 

 Each flower has three styles {/) ; and the 

 ovary, which is sharply angular, has three cells, 

 with two ovules in each. As the fruit swells, 

 the linear bracts diminish, till at last they 

 have only the appearance of small spines on the 

 involucre {g), which opens when ripe into four 

 valves (/i), and contains two or three angular 

 nuts (0, which are called the mast. The leaves 

 of the Beech are of thin and delicate texture, 

 and they are strongly feather-nerved. The tree 

 is large and very handsome, and it is easily 

 known, even in winter, by the smooth shining 

 white bark of the main trunk. There are only 

 two species of Fagus common in British gardens, 

 and these are the common Beech {Fagiis sylva- 

 tica) which has numerous varieties, including one 

 with dark reddish purple leaves, generally called 

 the Purple Beech; and the American Beech 

 (F. ferruginea), the leaves of which are copper- 

 coloured. 



There are, however, two species from Terra 

 del Fuego, which have been introduced, but 

 they are at present rare. One of these {F, 

 hetuloides) is called the Myrtle tree in Van 

 Dieman''s Land, where it is also found wild, 

 and it is remarkable for producing a fungus 

 on its trunk, which, when cut in slices and 

 €Ookedj is said to be very good to eat. 



