60 THE TREES AND SHRUBS [LECT. 



Theophrastus * speaks of a tree called 

 having a leaf like the Walnut, but narrower, the 

 bark variegated, and the wood light, and only ser- 

 viceable for staves. This the early commentators 

 have chosen to identify with the Birch, but without 

 sufficient reason. The description does not agree, 

 and the Birch is not only not a native of Greece, 

 but, Fraas says, will not thrive in that country 

 when planted. 



That writer, therefore, suggests it to be the Judas- 

 tree, Cercis siliquastrum, but Sibthorp, more cau- 

 tious, does not pretend to identify that plant with 

 any one mentioned in ancient writings. 



The Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, is not common 

 in Greece, but is noticed by Sibthorp as occurring 

 on some of its loftier mountains, and in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Constantinople. In Italy it is frequent 

 in hilly situations, and Columella states u that the 

 best handles for agricultural implements, next to 

 the Ilex, are made out of Hornbeam, which is even 

 preferable to the Ash for such purposes. It seems 

 to have been known as Carpinus in Italy, but its 

 Greek name is not ascertained. 



The Hop-hornbeam, Ostrf/a vulgaris, is the Os- 

 trya of the Latins, and the ocrrpv? of the Greeks. 



It is alluded to by Theophrastus under the latter 

 name x . 



1 II. PI. iii. 14. Lib. xi. c. 2. II. PI. iii. 10. 



