THE BEECH. 29 



Where the largest limbs join the trunk, the angle becomes filled 

 up, and thev appear to spring trom it at a full curve. 



Below its point of junction with the trunk, the outlines ot each 

 limb can still be traced ; it keeps its own roundness and individual 

 shape, sometimes as far down as the roots, and while forming part of 

 the main stem, is only gradually merged into it. For this reason, in 

 the oldest trees the trunk seems to be built up ot many tree-stems 

 put together (this is indeed sometimes the case), while the trunks ot 

 mature trees have a fluted appearance. 



When many trees have been growing closely together, their stems 

 are rounded instead of fluted, and continue upwards to a great height 

 before dividing. If a tree has ample space about it, it divides into 

 large limbs, as has been said, a short distance above the ground. 



The topmost branches with their spreading twigs, form detached 

 spires against the sky, which make the tree easily recognisable at a 

 distance. The smaller branches are slender ; the lowest ones at first 

 spring trom the boughs in an upward direction, then take a delicate 

 curve and become pendent, supporting the horizontal layers of twigs 

 and toliage. 



THE LEAF AND BUDS. 



In winter the buds lie flat in the same plane as the twig ; the 

 terminal bud is in a line with it, the lateral ones are arranged 

 alternately along it. 



The buds stand out trom the twig, with their tips curving back 

 towards it. They are about three-quarters of an inch long, light- 

 brown, conical in shape and tapering to a fine point. The leaf-buds 

 are more slender than the flower-buds, and in each the leaf lies 

 straight from tip to base. 



