108 FAMILTAR TREES AND THEIR LEAVES. 



is no reason why one should not know a 

 beech even in midwinter. 



The leaves of this tree are 

 most wonderfully delicate and 

 charmingly simple ; indeed, I 

 know of nothing in the leaf 

 world quite so silky and thin, 

 yet firm. On the under side 

 of a beech 

 leaf the del- 

 icate, whit- 

 ish, wiry 

 veins run 

 straight from 

 the center rib to 

 the small sharp tooth at 

 the edge ; between, the 

 surface is smooth and 

 green, not the slightest 

 indication of texture 

 showing itself unless 

 one uses a glass. The 

 slender twigs which bear 

 the leaves spread out hori- 

 zontally, not droopingly like elm leaves, are also a 

 marvel of delicacy. The tiny three-cornered nut in- 

 cased in the miniature bur is familiar to every Amer- 



Beech and Fruit. 



