The Beech Tree 



able proportion of the fire wood used on the Chautauqua 

 grounds is beech. 



It is interesting to know that various fossil species of beech 

 have been found in rock formation in widely separated parts 

 of the world, indicating that beeches once occupied great terri- 

 tories from which they have now largely disappeared. 



The beech is mentioned repeatedly in classical literature, 

 for example : 



" Or shall I rather the sad verse repeat 

 Which on the beech's bark I lately writ ? " 



Virgil 



It must be remembered, however, that all classical allusions 

 refer to the European beech, which closely resembles our 

 American species. 



The so-called purple or copper beeches advertised by nur- 

 serymen are ornamental varieties of the European beech, and 

 are not natives to America. There are none of these varie- 

 ties in Chautauqua, and this is rather fortunate, as they do 

 not harmonize with the native vegetation. 



The distinctive ornamental value of the American species 

 is becoming more widely recognized every year, and Chau- 

 tauqua is favored in possessing so many beautiful beeches. 



47 



