SPMNG-FLOWtJiUNQ TREES AND SHRtl^S 



73 



cupule of overlapping scales. The ovary has three cells, and contains 

 six ovules ; but, as a rule, only one ovule of each flower is fertilised. 

 Sometimes, however, two, three, or more of the ovules become 

 fertilised, thus producing an acorn which will give rise to as many 

 separate seedling trees. At times we meet with an Oak nearly 

 every acorn of \\hicli contains two or more ovules. This tree is 

 remarkalile for the number of insects which feed on its leaves, and 

 also for the number of different species of gall-flies which produce 

 galls on its leaves and 

 stems. Two well-marked 

 varieties occur : one — 

 pedunctdata — with sessile 

 leaves and long flower 

 stalks ; and the other — 

 sessiliflora — with stalked 

 leaves and short flower- 

 stalks. 



The Beech (Fagiis 

 sylvaficd) is readily re- 

 cognised dm'ing winter 

 and early spring by its 

 smooth, thin, ohve-grey 

 bark, and its long taper- 

 ing, pointed, brown Inids. 

 The expanding buds have 

 already been mentioned 

 (p. 44) as of special in- 

 terest as regards the fan- 

 like folding of the young 

 leaves, and the arrange- 

 ment for preventing undue loss of moisture while the epidermis is as 

 yet very thin and permeable. The leaves of this tree are ovate, 

 smooth and glossy, with strongly-marked parallel veins branching 

 from the midrib. When young they are very silky, but later the flne, 

 silky hau's are seen only on the slightly-toothed margin, and even 

 these disajipear as the season advances. The flowei's are imjaerfect, 

 and appear in April or early May. The staminate catkins are of a 

 dark purple-brown colour, rounded and pendulous, with from 

 eight to forty slender stamens having exposed, yellow anthers. 

 The pistillate flowers are groujied in little clusters of from two 

 (o four, each one having three stigmas, and being surrovmded by a 



THE Beech ix fruit. 



