56 FOUNDATIONS OF BOTANY 



1. F. ferruginea, Ait. Beech. Large trees. Leaves oblong-ovate, 

 taper-pointed at the apex, serrate, straight-veined, very white-silky 

 when young, nearly smooth with age. Involucre densely covered 

 ■with short recurved spines. Nuts thin-shelled, edible. Common on 

 damp soil everywhere. The wood is very hard, tough, and close- 

 grained, and is especially valuable for the manufacture of small 

 tools.* 



2. F. sylvatica, L. The European beech is occasionally found 

 planted as a shade-tree. The. variety known as the copper beech 

 is most usual, and is readily recognized by its dark, crimson-purple 



n. CASTANEA, Toum. 



Trees or shrubs with rough, gray, rather close bark. Leaves 

 straight-veined, undivided, prominently toothed. Flowers ap- 

 pearing later than the leaves. Staminate catkins erect or 

 spreading, loosely flowered, flowers several in the axil of each 

 bract, calyx 4-6-parted, stamens 8-16. Pistillate flowers at 

 the base of the staminate catkin or in small separate clus- 

 ters, usually 3 in each involucre ; ovary 4-celled, surrounded 

 by 6-12 abortive stamens. Fruit a 1-celled nut enclosed in 

 the greatly enlarged and very prickly involucre.* 



1. C. sativa, Mill., var. americana, Wats. American Chestnut. 

 A large tree, bark somewhat rough, and splitting into longitudinal 

 plates. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, taper-pointed at the apex, usually 

 acute at the base, coarsely and sharply serrate with ascending 

 teeth, smooth, dark green above, lighter below ; petioles stout, 

 short. Staminate catkins erect, 6-10 in. long. Nuts usually 3 in 

 each bur. Rich soil, especially N. Rarely found on soils contain- 

 ing much lime.* 



2. C. pumila, Mill. Chinquapin. A small tree or shrub. Leaves 

 oblong, acute or obtuse at both ends, serrate with divergent teeth, 

 dark green and smooth above, white-woolly below. Nuts solitary, 

 nearly globular. Common southward in rich woods.* 



in. QUERCUS, L. 



J'rees or shrubs with entire, serrate, or lobed leaves, which 

 are often persistent. Staminate flowers in slender catkins, 

 each subtended by quickly deciduous bracts, and consisting 



