30 



THE NATURE BOOK 



some 50 or 60 foet without a branch ; tracery of hnely tapering twigs on 

 and its diminished crown, joining with ascending branches. In young trees, 

 those of its immediate neighbours, be- and on the 'lower limbs of older ones, m 



A BEECH IN WINTER TIME. 



comes part as of a deep canopied roof 

 over cathedral aisles. By nature it is 

 extremely masterful, a monopolist bred 

 and born, persistently, as it were, staking 

 out its claim, and holding its own against 

 all comers. It casts so dense a shadow 

 that few plants can grow beneath it. 

 In wittier the Beech shows a delicate 



sheltered situations, the dry leaves of 

 the previous summer long retain their 

 hold, and glisten and rustle even till the 

 new spring opens. \\'here the leaves have' 

 fallen the rich bronze carpet which they 

 make under the denuded Beeches, witli 

 tlie grey stems of the trees contrasting, 

 and the long shadows stealing across, 



