XLVI.— ' THE BEECH. 
Fag us sylvatica Linne. 
T HE Fagacea ’, with some six genera and three hundred and fifty species, differ 
from the Betulace<e mainly in having three or more two-ovuled chambers to the 
ovary, although the nut is ultimately, as in the other Family, one-seeded. The 
cymose group of florets in the axil of each catkin-scale often consists of more than 
three flowers, and the fruits after fertilisation become surrounded by a cupule. 
This, in the Oaks surrounds one, in the Beeches two, and in the Chestnuts three, 
nuts ; and there has been much controversy as to the morphological nature of this 
structure. The “cup” of the acorn appears like a cyclomic outgrowth from the 
stem, bearing numerous rudimentary leaves, which are replaced by the branch-like 
spines in the Chestnut and the recurved hooks in the Beech. At the same time, the 
splitting of the cupule into four in the two last-named genera supports the view that 
it is, at least in part, formed by the union of the four secondary bracteoles of the two 
lateral florets. 
A group of undoubtedly great geological antiquity, and, perhaps, much reduced 
or degenerated in floral structure, the Family, and especially the genus Fagus sensu 
/adore, has at present a most remarkable geographical distribution. Whilst it is 
sensu stricto northern, only three species of Beech belong to that hemisphere, and a 
distinct sub-genus or genus Nothofagus , with a dozen species, is dispersed from 
Chile to Tasmania and New Zealand. 
Considering that remains of Beech occur only in the more recent of the Danish 
peat-bogs, it is suggested that the species may be a comparatively recent migrant 
into England from the Continent ; and that its shade-bearing and shade-casting 
nature has enabled it to establish itself as a dominant tree on warm light soils in the 
south-eastern counties, ousting the light-demanding Ash. It produces a spreading 
mass of roots but little below the surface which combine with its dense shade to kill 
most undergrowth. On sandy soils but little may be seen amongst its fallen leaves 
except Hollies, Whortleberries, and the silver-grey moss Leucobryum glaucurn 
Schimper. An even more characteristic association of plants is that seen on steep 
slopes of chalk or limestone hills, where a shallow humus or leaf-mould can accumulate 
more readily apparently than on the hill-tops. Here Beechwood “ hangers,” as they 
are called, may exhibit a considerable mingling of Wild Cherry ( Prunus avium L.) 
with an undergrowth of the shade-enduring Yew and Butcher’s Broom. Before the 
Beech leaves unfold the ground may be sprinkled with the Wood Violet ( Viola 
Riviniana Reichenbach), or a little later it may be carpeted with Dog’s Mercury or 
Herb Paris, to be succeeded in turn by Sanicle or Wood-ruff. The stems of the 
Helleborine ( Cephalanthera grandiflora S. F. Gray) may show themselves near the 
margins of the woodland, or in its darker recesses the brown saprophytic Bird’s-nest 
Orchid, and Monotropa Hypopitys L. may appear above the russet fallen leaves. 
