DECIDUOUS TREES, 331 



trees, but it is certainly one of the most delicately beautiful in out- 

 line when in its growing state. 



THE RED BEECH. F, ferruginea. This native species, according 

 to Michaux, " bears a greater resemblance to that of Europe than 

 to the kindred American species: it equals the white beech in 

 diameter, but not in height ; and as it ramifies nearer the earth, and 

 is more numerously divided, it has a more massive summit, and the 

 appearance of more tufted foliage. Its leaves are equally brilliant, 

 a little larger and thicker, and have longer teeth." The trunk has 

 a greater proportion of reddish or heart wood, than the white 

 beech ; hence its name. 



The following remarks by Loudon on the general characteristics 

 of the beech family are in his habitual fine vein of discrimination : 



" As an ornamental tree for the park and lawn, especially near 

 the mansion, the beech has many important advantages. Though 

 its head is more compact and lumpish than that of the oak, the elm, 

 or the ash, yet its lower branches hang down to the ground in 

 more pliant and graceful forms than those of any of these trees. 

 The points of these branches turn up with a curve, which though 

 not picturesque, has a character of its own, which will be found 

 generally pleasing. The leaves are beautiful in every period of 

 their existence ; nothing can be finer than their transparent deli- 

 cacy, when expanding, and for some weeks afterwards. In summer 

 their smooth texture, and their deep, yet lively green, are highly 

 gratifying to the eye ; and the warmth of their umber tint, when 

 they hang on the trees during the winter season, as contrasted with 

 the deep and solemn green of pines and firs, has a rich, striking, 

 and most agreeable effect in landscape." Arboretum Britannicum, 

 page 1965. 



Although not altogether apropos in a descriptive work, we 

 cannot close with the beech without quoting for the reader the 

 poet Campbell's exquisite lines, entitled "The Beech Tree's 

 Petition." 



"Oh, leave this barren spot to me I 

 Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree ! 

 Though bud and flowret never grow 

 My dark, unwarming shade below; 



