274 MON(ECIA. POLVAND. 



The fruit isr much used as an article of food in the S. of Europe, and 

 in parts of France I have had them served up for breakfast., boiled in 

 milk. 



18. FAGUS. 



1. Y.sylvatica (Beech Tree), leaves ovate glabrous obsoletely 

 dentate their margins ciliated. Lightf. p. 584. E. B. 

 t. 1846. 



HAB. Woods and plantations, frequent. Fl. May. ^ 

 This tree affords excellent shelter ; especially that variety which retains 

 its leaves through the winter. The wood is employed for an infinity 

 of purposes by carpenters, turners, wheelwrights, &c. Swine are 

 driven into the forests of beech to feed upon the mast in Autumn. 



19. BETULA. 



1. B. alba (common Birch Tree), leaves ovato-cleltoid acute 

 doubly serrated glabrous. Lightf. p. 572. E. B. t. 2198. 



HAB. Woods, plentiful, especially in the Highlands. There is a var. 

 of this, with remarkably drooping branches which are more warty 

 than in the common appearance, not unfrequent in the Highlands, 

 and generally known by the name of the drooping birch. 



The wood is tough and white and is used for various purposes. Much 

 is burned into charcoal. Brooms are made of it. Of the bark in 

 some countries hats and drinking cups are formed, and of the sap a 

 wine is produced by fermentation. I? . 



2. B. nana (dwarf Birch), leaves orbicular crenate. Lighlf. 

 p. 575. t. 25. E.J3.f.2326. 



HAB. Abundant in Corry-y-callin, N. of Glen Lyon, in Breadalbane : 

 also moors of Loch Glass, Ross-shire, and Lands of Bertram, 1 mile 

 from Carnwrath, Clydesdale, Lightf. Ben Lawers, Mr. Winch. Fl. 

 May. F? . 



This is a small, shrubby plant, not exceeding 1 2 feet in height. The 

 leaves are on short footstalks. Fertile catkins at the extremity of 

 the branches, small. Even this humble shrub the poor Laplander 

 turns to account. It is almost all he meets with in certain situa- 

 tions that can be converted into fuel for burning and driving away 

 the gnats j and, covered with the rein-deer's skin, it serves him for 

 abed. 



20. CARP1NUS. 



1. C. Beiidus (Hornbeam), scales or bracteas of the fruit ob- 

 long serrated with 2 smaller lateral lobes. Lightf. p. 585. 

 ...*. 2032. 



HAB. Woods and plantations.* FL May. V} . 



Rather a small tree with ovate or subcordate, doubly serrated, acute 

 leaves, of which the veins are somewhat hairy, and which are beau- 

 tifully plaited when in the act of expanding. The wood of the Horn- 

 beam is white, tough, and hard, and burns like a candle. It is used 

 in turnery work, for implements of husbandry, cogs of wheels, &c. 

 The inner bark produces a yellow dye. 





