CHAP. XLII. TJOSA CE^. PY RUS. 911 



above 10 ft. or 15 ft. high ; but it is always stiff and erect. It is later in coming 

 into leaf than any other indigenous tree, except the ash. It bears lopping, 

 and permits the grass to grow under it. 



Geography, Hbstory, S^-c. The white beam tree is a native of most parts of 

 Europe, from Norway to the Mediterranean Sea ; and also of Siberia and 

 Western Asia. Some species of the § AWo. are found in Nepal, which are 

 probably only varieties of the European kinds ; but none have been yet dis- 

 covered in North America. In Britain, the geologic sites in which it is found 

 wild are almost always chalky soils, or limestone rocks ; but sometimes, also, cal- 

 careous clays. Withering says that it loves dry hills, and open exposures, and 

 flourishes either on gravel or clay. It is to be met with in every part of the 

 island, varying greatly in magnitude, according to soil and situation. It has been 

 known to writers on plants since the days of Tlieophrastus ; and the circum- 

 stance of its bearing a distinct name in all the European languages shows 

 that it has been long familiar to countr}' people. 



Proj^erties and Uses. The wood is very hard, of a fine close grain, yellowish 

 white, and susceptible of a high polish. In a green state, it has a strong 

 smell, which it retains, in a slight degree, even after it is dried. It weighs, in 

 that state, 55 lb. 6 oz. per cubic foot. It may be stained of any colour, and is 

 much used in the smaller manufactures, such as making handles to knives and 

 forks, wooden spoons, &c. ; and for musical instruments,, and various turnery 

 articles. Combs, it is said, have been made of it equally durable with those 

 made from the box. It is also used for axletrees, naves, and felloes of wheels, 

 carpenters' tools, and walking-sticks ; and it affords an excellent charcoal for 

 making gunpowder. But the great use of the wood of this tree, thi'oughout 

 Europe, is for cogs to the wheels of machinery. It is universally employed 

 for this purpose on the Continent ; and was so in Britain till cast iron 

 became generally substituted for it in the wheels of machiner3^ The leaves 

 are eaten both by goats and sheep. The fruit is acid and astringent ; but it 

 is not disagreeable to eat, when it is in a state of incipient decay. Dried, 

 and I'educed to powder, it has been formed into a sort of bread, which has 

 been eaten, both in France and Sweden, in years of great scarcity. Fer- 

 mented, the fruit affords a beer ; or, by distillation, a powerful spirit : it is 

 greedily eaten by small birds ; on which account the trees are ordered to be 

 preserved in the French forests, that the number of birds may be increased, 

 in order to keep down the insects. The fruit is also the food of squirrels; 

 and, when it drops, of the wild boar, the deer, the hedgehog, &c. 



As an ornamental tree, the white beam has some valuable properties. It is 

 of a moderate size, and of a definite shape; and thus, bearing a character of 

 art, it is adapted for particular situations near works of art, where the violent 

 contrast exhibited by trees of picturesque forms would be inharmonious. In 

 summer, when clothed with leaves, it forms a compact green mass, till it is 

 ruffled by the wind, when it suddenly assumes a mealy whiteness. In the 

 winter season, the tree is attractive from it smooth branches, and its large 

 green buds ; which, from their size and colour, seem already prepared for 

 spring, and remind us of the approach of that delightful season. When the 

 tree is covered with its fruit, it is exceedingly ornamental. Among the dif- 

 ferent varieties enumerated, P. A. cretica is by far the most distinct : but all of 

 them are well deserving of cultivation. 



Soil and Situation. A calcareous and dry soil is essential ; and the tree will 

 not attain a timber size unless it is placed in an airy situation. The largest 

 trees in Britain are at Blair, in Perthshire, where they stand in the margins of 

 open woods, or in hedgerows. The situation may be exposed to the highest 

 and coldest winds that prevail in this country, and yet the tree will never fail to 

 grow erect, and produce a regular head ; and, for this reason, no tree is better 

 adapted for sheltering houses and gardens in very exposed situations. 



Propagation and Culture. The species may be raised from seed, and the 

 varieties be grafted on stocks of the species of the pear, of the Cratae^gus, and 

 even of the quince and medlar ; whicli trees, it is almost unnecessary to add, 



3 p 



