THE BEEOH,. 331 
by the overspread of its branches a space of 
ground a hundred and twenty feet in circum- 
ference; and its bole at two feet from the ground 
measures thirty-three feet in girth. In these, the 
largest of our woodland Beech growths, the 
striking and impressive character of the Tree can 
of course be most effectively recognized. The 
straight pillared stem, smooth and grey, rises 
with lofty symmetry, sometimes in a single column, 
sometimes in double columns, and far up aloft 
spreading out against the sky, a canopy of 
graceful foliage. The beautiful and impressive 
character of the Tree is best seen, however, in a 
Beech wood; for the Beech allows no rivals, and 
even underwood and turf are banished from 
the shade of its branches. Looking up, then, in 
a great Beech wood from the withered leaves which 
are strewn in profusion on the ground, giving it a 
character of lifelessness, and letting the eye 
wander amidst the forest of symmetrical trunks 
carried up aloft with surpassing grace and beauty 
until they spread into the heaven of leafiness 
above, one is strangely moved by the spectacle ; 
for the wealth of verdure burnished into silvery 
