22 
WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND TREES. 
envelopes retain their shape long after they have been cast off. 
It is interesting to note how well these are mimicked by a glossy 
spindle-shaped snail {Clausilia laminata) that has a decided 
fondness for the Beech. As the snails crawl up the bole or over 
the moss at its base, it is not easy at a glance to say which are 
snails and which bud-envelopes. This is one of the protective 
resemblances adopted by many animals to give them a chance 
of eluding their natural enemies — in this case the thrush and 
other birds. 
In the bud the leaf is folded fan-wise, and the folds run 
parallel with the nerves. They expand into an oval, smooth- 
faced leaf, with slightly scooped edges, and a most delicate fringe 
of short gossamer, which falls off" later. These leaves Evelyn 
recommended as a stuffing for beds, declaring that if “ gathered 
about the fall, and somewhat before they are much frost-bitten, 
[they] afford the best and easiest mattresses in the world to lay 
under our quilts instead of straw. ... In Switzerland I have 
sometimes lain on them to my great refreshment.” That last 
clause seems to imply that the authorities at home would not 
allow the introduction of new-fangled bed-stuffings, but remained 
true to straw. These leaves are rich in potash, and as they 
readily decay, they produce an admirable humus. In sheltered 
places the leaves, turned to a light ruddy-brown colour, are 
retained on the lower branches until cast off by the expansion 
of the new buds. 
In early summer, whilst the leaves are still pellucid, the shade 
of a big Beech is particularly inviting. Later the leaves become 
opaque, and their glossy surfaces throw back the heat rays. 
Then the play of light upon the great mass of foliage is very 
fine ; but when autumn has turned their deep green to orange 
and warm ruddy brown, and they catch the red rays of the 
westering sun, the tree appears to be turned into a blazing fire. 
The Beech flowers in April or May. The blossoms are rather 
more conspicuous than is the case with the Oak, for the male 
