338 CAKPINUS. 



Common, and widely diffused as the Hornbeam is found 

 throughout the greater part of the kingdom, it is never- 

 theless much better known as an underwood or as a 

 hedge plant, than in its form of a timber tree with dimen- 

 sions sufficient to place it among those of the second, 

 if not of the first rank. Sir J. E. Smith, indeed, and 

 Sir W. J. Hooker, in their botanical works, call it a 

 small and low tree, but this is by no means its general 

 character, or applicable to it when allowed to grow un- 

 mutilated and in soils suited to its habit ; under favour- 

 able circumstances it attains a height of from forty to 

 fifty feet, with a trunk of commensurate thickness, and 

 which often reaches a circumference of six or eight feet. 



Specifically the Hornbeam is distinguished, according to 

 Smith, by the bracteas of the fruit being oblong, flat, 

 serrated, with two lateral lobes. 



In general form and appearance it bears a considerable 

 resemblance to the beech, though its head is even closer, 

 more rounded, or what may be termed cabbage-like, being 

 composed of a confused assemblage of long flexible branches, 

 and usually destitute of any prominent or determinate 

 leader. 



The leaves are without the gloss of those of the beech, 

 and are not unlike those of the elm ; they are pointed and 



Y.-. 



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