80 FOREST LIFE AND 



Indian corn — which beds have the advantage of being soft as 

 well as elastic — and we have always found the sleep enjoyed on 

 them to be peculiarly sound and restorative. But the beds made 

 of Beech leaves are really not a whit behind them in these qual- 

 ities, while the fragrant smell of green tea which the leaves re- 

 tain is most gratifying." 



" The wood of the Beech is preferred to all other wood for plane 

 stocks, saw handles, and cylinders used in polishing glass. 



" Botanists are unable to find more than one kind of Beech, be- 

 lieving that the distinctions of l white 1 and ' recV Beech in com- 

 mon use among the people describes but one species. 



The Beech is said never to be struck by lightning. In trav- 

 eling through a forest country, many trees of a different species, 

 such as the Oak, and, more commonly than any tree within my 

 observation, the Hemlock, may be seen riven by lightning, but 

 never the Beech. 



" A most remarkable species of the Beech is said to have been 

 discovered by accident in Germany. In early spring, when the 

 leaves of the purple Beech are agitated by the wind, during bright 

 sunshine, their clear red gives the tree the appearance of being 

 on fire : an effect, Bosc observes, so truly magical, that it is 

 scarcely credible by those who have not seen it." — Loudon. 



THE CHESTNUT-TREE. 



This tree is distinguished by the rapidity of its growth and the 

 excellence of its wood for posts and rails — the latter lasting half 

 a century — the good quality of the nut it bears, and the age and 

 size to which it attains. 



" Some of the most remarkable trees of Europe are Chestnut- 

 trees. On Mount iEtna is the famous Castagno di cento cavalli, 

 so called from its having sheltered a hundred mounted cavaliers. 

 Brydon found this, in 1770, two hundred and four feet in circum- 

 ference, and it had the appearance of five distinct trees. A cen- 



