288 THE HORNBEAM. 



DEFORMITY OF TI^E TWIGS. 



Among the twigs ci the Hornheam, as amongst those of the Beech, 

 " birds'-nest " excrescences are often to be found. These disfigurements 

 are due either to the puncture ot a shoot bv insects or to some defect 

 in the nourishment drawn trom the soil. The branchlets, instead of 

 developing normally, end abruptly in a swollen knob, which bears tutts 

 ot twisted and contorted twicrs. Otten one or two tvviirs of the normal 

 type issue Irom this ungainly mass, and seem to call attention to its 

 shapeless detormity by their own slenderness and the precise arrange- 

 ment of their buds. 



Some description of the way in which trees are affected by insect 

 life is given in the notes dealing with the Hawthorn. 



THE HORNBEAM (Carpinus Betulus). 



The tree appears to have been introduced into England at the 

 end of the 15th century. It grows to a height of 50 or 60 feet, 

 and can live in a cold clay soil, and on exposed hill-sides. The 

 young trees are used tor hedgerows, for they bear clipping well, and 

 retain their foliage throughout the winter ; a characteristic which also 

 makes them useful as underwood for game cover. The Hornbeam is 

 a valuable coppice tree, and gives good fuel. The wood is used by 

 wheelwrights — it is exceedingly tough, but not elastic. Hornbeams 

 are common throughout England, and fine pollard specimens may be 

 seen in Epping Forest. 



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