By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 195 
The Betula alba has been sub-divided into several species, under 
the names of glutinosa, pubescens, pendula, &e., according to the 
variations in the forms of the leaves and fruit. 
Anus, (Tourn.) ALDER. 
Linn. Cl. xxi. Ord. iv. 
Named from the Celtic a/, near ; and Jan. the river-bank. 
1, A glutinosa, (Gaert) clammy or common Alder, Engl. Bot. t. 
1508. Reich Icones xii. 641. 
Locality. Banks of the Avon, wet meadows, and moist grounds 
by water, especially where the soil inclines to peat. ree FU. March. 
Area, 1. 2.3.4.5. In all the Districts. A middle-sized éree, not 
very ornamental, though of agreeable verdure and dense shade. 
Leaves roundish-cuneiform, obtuse lobed at the margin and serrate, 
somewhat glutinous, downy in the axils of the nerves beneath. 
Sterile catkins long, large, and cylindrical, pendent, their footstalks 
branched. Fertile catkins small, ovate, with deep red scales, which 
are not unlike those of a miniature fir-cone. 
Facus, (Linn.) BEECH. 
Linn. Cl. xxi. Ord. vil.” 
Name. From phago, to eat; in allusion to the mast or nuts 
being used for food in early ages. Beech; from Bece, or Boe, 
Saxon. Johnson. 
, 1. F. sylvatica, (Linn.) wood or common Beech. Engl. Bot. ¢. 
1846. Reich Icones, xii. 639. 
Locality. Woods, especially on calcareous soils. ree Fl. March, 
April. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5: In all the Districts, but perhaps not 
truly indigenous in the county,! being frequently planted. A large 
and noble tree, of combined majesty and elegance ; branches widely 
spreading, umbrageous ; bark pale and smooth; wood white and 
brittle. Leaves shortly stalked, ovate, slightly and unequally serrated, 
with a silky marginal fringe, and downy veins. Catkins or flower- 
heads softly silky-hairy, the males on slender drooping peduncles of 
oe *** None in Wilts except at Groveley. (In the wood belonging to Mr. 
Samwell’s farm at Market Lavington are three very large beeches.” — Bishop 
Tanner.) 
P2 
