IDecitwous 



179 



the oak-wood is not seen among the beeches. A few orchids, 



o " 



chiefly Habenaria chloranta, and the star anemone (Trientalis 

 Europeci), are the most common plants. Mountain ash and 

 hagbeny grow here and there on the outskirts. The Euro- 

 pean beech (Wagus sylvatica) differs chiedy from the 

 American beech (F. ferruginea) in having larger and 



FIQ. 91. CUT-LEAVED BEECH (FAQUS SYLVATICA LACINIATA). 



brighter leaves and a more horizontal spray. The copper 

 beech is a well-known form of the European species, as are 

 also the cut-leaved variety often seen as a lawn tree, 

 and the weeping beech. These varieties form beautiful 

 specimens on a lawn. All assume splendid autumn tints. 

 The beech grows best in a sandy loam with an open or 

 stony subsoil. In a young state it is exceptionally beautiful 

 for woods and coppices, and when too large for this purpose 



