56 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 
1, F. ferruginea, Ait. Brrcn. Large trees. Leaves oblong-ovate, 
taper-pointed at the apex, serrate, straight-veined, very white-silky 
when young, nearly smooth with age. Involucre densely covered 
with short recurved spines. Nuts thin-shelled, edible. Common on 
damp soil everywhere. The wood is very hard, tough, and close- 
grained, and is especially valuable for the manufacture of small 
tools.* / 
2. F. sylvatica, L. The European beech is occasionally found 
planted as a shade-tree. The variety known as the copper beech 
is most usual, and is readily recognized by its dark, crimson-purple 
leaves. 
Il. CASTANEA, Tourn. 
Trees or shrubs with rough, gray, rather close bark. Leaves 
straight-veined, undivided, prominently toothed. Flowers ap- 
pearing later than the leaves. Staminate catkins erect or 
spreading, loosely flowered, flowers several in the axil of each 
bract, calyx 4—6-parted, stamens 8-16. Pistillate flowers at 
the base of the staminate catkin or in small separate clus- 
ters, usually 3 in each involucre ; ovary 4-celled, surrounded 
by 5-12 abortive stamens. Fruit a 1-celled nut enclosed in 
the greatly enlarged and very prickly involucre.* 
1. C. sativa, Mill., var. americana, Wats. AMERICAN CHESTNUT. 
A large tree, bark somewhat rough, and splitting into longitudinal 
plates. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed at the apex, usually 
acute at the base, coarsely and sharply serrate with ascending 
teeth, smooth, dark green above, lighter below; petioles stout, 
short. Staminate catkins erect, 6-10 in. long. Nuts usually 3 in 
each bur. Rich soil, especially N. Rarely found on soils contain- 
ing much lime.* 
2. C. pumila, Mill. CHrnquapin. A small tree or shrub. Leaves 
oblong, acute or obtuse at both ends, serrate with divergent teeth, 
dark green and smooth above, white-woolly below. Nuts solitary, 
nearly globular. Common southward in rich woods.* 
Ill. QUERCUS, L. 
Trees or shrubs with entire, serrate, or lobed leaves, which 
are often persistent. Staminate flowers in slender catkins, 
each subtended by quickly deciduous bracts, and consisting 
