3U 



THE BEECH. 



growing in great abundance in tlie woods of 

 Germany and France, particularly after any of 

 tlie trees have been burnt do^vn. This fact hav- 

 ing been observed, led in Germany to the burniiir 

 of the woods^ in order to procure Morels ; ana. 

 consequently, great numbers of trees were de-- 

 stroyed. till the practice was forbidden by law. 

 They are highly j^rized for the table, both in 

 their fresh and dry states. In the countries 

 where they abound, many persons gain their 

 livelihood by gathering and drying ^I'Jorels, which 

 last they effect by running a thread through their 



stalks, and hanging them in an airy place. In 

 England they are comparatively rare : but ^Ir. 

 Berkeley states that he has knovrn them to be 

 so abundant in Kent, as to be used for making a 

 sort of catsup. The Trufhe. which is also highly 

 prized in cookery, is very dithcult to find, being 



