THE BEECH. 



Fagus sylvatica. 



Katura I o rde r — Azvi en tacejl. 

 CI a ss — ]\I 0 N (EC I A . Orde r — P o L Y a N D Ri a . 



The Beech, tliougli one of our most abundant 

 forest trees, grooving spontaneously in the wildest 

 parts of many of the counties of England, per- 

 fecting its seed freely, and sustaining a vigorous 

 growth (which proves that the soil and climate 

 of the country are perfectly congenial to it), is 

 nevertheless declared by many writers to be a 

 doubtful native. This opinion they justify on 

 the ground that Julius C^sar, in his account of 

 his invasion of Britain, states that timber of 

 every kind wliich is found in Gaul also grovrs in 

 Britain, except the Beech and the Silver Fir."* 

 The fact is, that by far too much importance is 

 attached to this passage. C^sar penetrated but 

 a very little way into Britain, staid there but a 

 very short time, and rarely ventured to any great 

 distance from the camp ; consequently he saw 

 very little of the country. There can be no 

 doubt, however, that he was anxious to convey 

 to his countrymen as favourable an impression 

 as possible of his achievements ; so that, the 



* " Materia ciijusqne generis, ut in Gallia est, prseter Fagum et 

 Abietem." {Ccesar de Bel. Gal.) 



