284 THE HORNBEAM. 



boxes, &c. The bark of the young limbs is very tough 

 and flexible, and is often stripped off in long ribands, 

 and used, especially in Wales, for securing thatch, and for 

 other similar purposes. 



Though the Wych Elm does not produce suckers, it 

 strikes from layers with great facility, and if a growing 

 branch or twig by any accident touches the ground, it is 

 sure to take root. A striking instance of this is afforded 

 by a tree at Enys, in Cornwall, of which an engraving is 

 given at page 232. It was planted originally on the left 

 side of a little stream, but having, from some unknown 

 cause, been laid prostrate, the trunk fell on the opposite 

 side of the stream, where it took root, and, rising again, 

 has acquired such dimensions that it covers an area of 

 seven thousand square feet, or one-sixth of an acre. The 

 main stem, which now forms a natural bridge across the 

 stream, is ten feet three inches in circumference, and the 

 three trunks which rise from the right side of the stream 

 measure, severally, eight feet and a half, six feet, and five 

 feet eight inches. 



The Cork-barked Elm resembles the Common Elm 

 rather than the Wych Elm ; it rarely ripens its seeds, but 

 produces suckers freely. The timber is soft and spongy, 

 and much inferior to that of either of the others. 



THE HORNBEAM. 



CAEPINUS BETULTJS. 



Natural Order AMENTACEJE. 



Class MONCECIA. Order PoLYANDEIA. 



OP all our indigenous forest-trees perhaps no one is so 

 little known as the Hornbeam ; nor is this surprising, for, 

 although it frequently reaches a height of fifty or sixty 

 feet, it has no strongly-marked distinctive character, and 



