374 CLASS XXI. ORDER VIII. 



waved at its edge. Spadix shorter than the spathe, tapering to 

 a point, and covered with flowers. Anthers oblong-hexagonal, 

 covering the upper part of the spadix. Germs below, roundish, 

 tipt with the stigma. — Borders of ponds. — June, July. 



3SS. FAGUS. 

 Fagus ferruginea. Ait. Beech Tree. 



Leaves ovate, acuminate, downy underneath, with 

 large teeth, ciliate at the margin. Willd. 



The Beech tree is known in winter by its smooth bark, its 

 narrow, acute buds, and raarcescent leaves. The leaves are 

 ovate, fringed with fine hairs at the edge, furnished with paral- 

 lel veins like those of the chesnut, and with indentations of 

 moderate depth at the edge. Calyx investing the fruit some- 

 what ovate, muricated, with soft, short prickles. Nut triangular. 



The wood of the beech is not accounted very durable, when 

 exposed to the vicissitudes of weather. 



389. CASTANEA. 

 Castanea vesca. Willd. Chesnut Tree. 



Leaves oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, mucronate- 

 serrate, naked underneath. Willd. 



A very large and majestic tree. The bark of the trunk is 

 coarsely divided by longitudinal fissures. Leaves half a foot 

 long, lanceolate, smooth on both sides, with simple, prominent, 

 parallel veins ending in large, pointed teeth at the margin, 

 which are separated by obtuse iodentations. Aments as long as 

 the leaves, yellowish. The calyx investing the fruit forms a 

 large, globular burr, with acute, compound, crowded spines. 

 Nuts two or three, their upper part villous. 



The American Chesnut tree is generally considered a variety 

 of the European. Its wood is coarse grained, but light and du- 

 rable. It is principally employed in fencing, for which use it 

 furnishes one of the best materials. 



