THE NATURE BOOK 



runs in continu- 

 atii)n oi the 

 stalk direct to 

 the apex ; the 

 side ribs branch 

 off alternately, 

 and run in paral- 

 lel straight lines 

 to the margin. 

 The pollen- 

 bearing floivcrs 

 are distinct from 

 the fruit-produc- 

 ing flowers, but 

 they appear on 

 the same tree. 

 They grow out 

 at the junction 

 of the young 

 leaf-stalks with 

 the new shoots. 

 The pollen-bear- 

 ing flowers are 

 crowded to- 

 gether into 

 rounded bunch- 

 es, which form 



WINTER TWIG 

 OF BEECH 

 SHOWING 

 RESTING 

 BUDS. 



small clus- 

 ters, hang- 

 ing freely 

 by long 

 s 1 ender 

 stalks. 

 The work 

 of these 

 fl o w e r 

 bunches is 

 to i)roduce 



the fme yellow dust, or ])ollrn. 1)\- wliich 

 fertilisation is achieved. This ])ollen is 

 scattered abroad l)y the wind, and so 

 cftnveyed to the fruit-jn'oducing flowers. 

 Their work accomplished, these bunches 

 drop off and for a time litter the ground 

 beneath. The fruit-producing flowers are 

 enclosed in a green sheath having the 



RESTING BUD OF BEECH EN- 

 LARGED, SHOWING "SCAR" 

 OF PREVIOUS YEAR'S LEAF. 



appearance of a larger bud with short 

 bristles attached. This gi'ows higher up 

 the shoot, and stands erect on a shorter 

 stalk. When it has reached a certain 

 stage of maturity, its two contained 

 flowers receive and retain some of the 

 wind-blown pollen from the myriads of 

 pollen-bearing flower clusters. Then com- 

 mences, and continues, the vital process 

 by which e\-entually the mature fruit is 

 produced. Xearly all our large trees, as 

 we shall see. dej^end thus upon the wind's 

 agency for the conve^-ance of the pollen 

 from the pollen-bearing to the fruit- 

 producing flowers. 



The fruit, when ripe, is contained in a 

 hard bristly capsule. This capsule splits 

 open crosswise, its points bend backwards, 

 a,nd two three-sided nuts of a deep chest- 

 nut colour are exposed. Some of the 

 empty capsules often remain on the tree 

 for a considerable time.* 



The only tree at all likely to be mistaken 

 for the Beech is the Hornbeam. Points 

 of difference will be indicated in the 

 account of that tree. 



THE OAK 



The Oak has a rounded, spreading 

 crown. Its general character is that of 

 sturdy endurance and strength. Estimat- 

 ing its age by centuries of years, in 

 maturity it stretches out below great 

 boughs, horizontally, in defiance of gravity, 

 basing its semi-circular crown with almost 

 a straight line drawn parallel to the 

 ground. The radius of that semi-circle 

 may be a hundred feet and more. Its 

 sujiporting stem, with expanding base, 

 is built, massive and strong, to endure 

 alike downward pressure of solid weight 

 and side strain from force of tempest. 

 Smeaton was well advised in taking the 

 stem of the Oak as his model in designing 

 tlie Eddystone Lighthouse tower, against 

 which beating wind and bombarding 

 wave should deliver vain assault. 



In winter the gi-cat branches stand out 

 twisted and gnarled, zigzagging in a way 

 peculiar to and wholly characteristic of 

 the Oak, multiplying elbows, knotting 



* Oiilv the external appearance of the flowers and 

 fruits is indicated in these notes. For illustration of 

 these, anil a clear account of their structural details and 

 nieanini^, the reader is referred to " Trees and their Life 

 Histories," hv I'ercy (Irooni. Illustrated from photo- 

 graphs tiy Henry Irving. Cassell & Co. 



