THE BEECH. 



329 



the soil. "Where it has obtained the sway, it 

 suffers no other verdure to exist. Consequently, 

 the ground, covered with decaying leaves at all 

 seasons of the year, always presents the same ap- 

 pearance. As summer advances, a few^ Orchideous 

 plants* may be detected here and there, but not 

 sufficiently numerous or striking in appearance 

 to alter the character of the scene. 



FOLIAGE AND FLOWERS OF THE BEECH. 



By the time that the foliage is fully developed, 

 the flowers also have made their appearance. 

 These are of two kinds : the barren, which are 

 of a bro\TO hue, three or four together in round 



* Gymnadenia hifolia^ Listera nidus-avis, &c. 



