84 FOREST TREES. 
nearly naked; prickles of the fruit recurved or 
spreading. 
The Beech is one of the loftiest trees of the 
American forests, sometimes reaching the height of 
one hundred feet. It occupies a wide range of 
latitude, being found from Canada to the Gulf of 
Mexico, though in the latter locality it is found only 
occasionally in swamps. It is a stranger to the 
neighborhood of the prairies of Illinois and Iowa. 
It grows to the greatest size in deep, moist soils. The 
largest Beech I ever saw grew upon the banks of the 
Finegusha Creek,.a small, rapid stream, emptying 
into the Yazoo River on the east side. As near as 
could be judged without actual measurement, it was 
not less than from twelve to fifteen feet in circum- 
ference. The roots of the Beech run near the surface 
of the soil, and often appear above it. If the trees 
are felled in winter, they send up a great number of 
sprouts, so that a Beech forest is easily renewed. 
The wood of the Beech speedily decays when 
exposed to the alternations of dryness and moisture, 
but is durable when kept dry, and incorruptible when 
kept constantly under water. It is hard, fine-grained, 
and compact, and, when seasoned, does not warp. It 
is largely used for shoe lasts, plane stocks, and the 
handles of mechanics’ tools generally. It is employed 
in the frame-work of buildings, and the saplings are 
used for hoops. As fuel, it is considered inferior to 
the Sugar Maple. 
~The nuts are triangular, growing in pairs in a 
tough, scaly husk. They are among the most delicious 
