382 THE BEECH A NATIVE OF ENGLAND. 
Our Dorsetshire Correspondent draws our attention to the 
chief differential characters of the species as follows :— 
First, the root-leaves of P. officinalis are decidedly cordate at 
the base and petiolate. The similar organs of P. angustifolia are 
elliptical-lanceolate, tapering at both ends, and pointed. Second, 
there are white blotches on the leaves of the latter and pale 
green spots on those of the former plant. Third, the flowers of 
. )P. officinalis are pale lilac ; those of P. angustifolia are an intense 
dark blue. In Cosson and Germain the flowers are described 
at first red (before expansion, as in many flowers of this Order), 
then violet, and finally blue. Lastly, the common Lungwort 
flowers in February and March, the narrow-leaved Lungwort in 
April and May. Gerarde appears to have apprehended the 
striking distinctions between the two species. He names the 
one P. maculosa (spotted or dappled), the other P. foliis Echi 
(Echium-leaved). P. officinalis is not uncommon in gardens ; as 
a wild plant it is rare. We once were shown it in an unrecorded 
station, not far from Yapton, in Sussex. We believe the Hon. 
Mr. Fox Strangways’s station is new to the majority of British 
botanists, and we feel somewhat flattered by having the honour 
of announcing this to our readers. 

Bexrcu (Common) a Native of England. 
“ Materia cujusque generis ut in Gallia est, preter fagum et 
abietem.” (Cesar in Bell. Gal.) “The timber-trees of Gaul 
(France) are all found in Britain, except the Beech and the 
Fir.’ This passage in Cesar has long been a puzzle to com- 
mentators and naturalists, and we do not pretend to be able to 
give a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. The Ades, or Fir, 
is not considered by any botanist to be one of our native trees. 
The Beech is considered a native by almost all botanists. Some 
misunderstanding has arisen from using the term Scotch Fir 
as asynonym of Pinus sylvestris. Fir is usually the equivalent 
for Abies, as Pine is for Pinus. 
Every one acquainted with the subject knows that the Fir, or 
Abies, is an exotic; and most know that the Pine, P. sylvestris, 
is confined to the northern part of the island. In the south of 
England it is only found as a planted tree, not truly native. It 
