DECIDUOUS TREES. 
331 
trees, but it is certainly one of the most delicately beautiful in out¬ 
line when in its growing state. 
The Red Beech. F. ferruginea .—This native species, according 
to Michaux, “ bears a greater resemblance to that of Europe than 
to the kindred American species: it equals the white beech in 
diameter, but not in height; and as it ramifies nearer the earth, and 
is more numerously divided, it has a more massive summit, and the 
appearance of more tufted foliage. Its leaves are equally brilliant, 
a little larger and thicker, and have longer teeth.” The trunk has 
a greater proportion of reddish or heart wood, than the white 
beech ; hence its name. 
The following remarks by Loudon on the general characteristics 
of the beech family are in his habitual fine vein of discrimination : 
“ As an ornamental tree for the park and lawn, especially near 
the mansion, the beech has many important advantages. Though 
its head is more compact and lumpish than that of the oak, the elm, 
or the ash, yet its lower branches hang down to the ground in 
more pliant and graceful forms than those of any of these trees. 
The points of these branches turn up with a curve, which though 
not picturesque, has a character of its own, which will be found 
generally pleasing. The leaves are beautiful in every period of 
their existence; nothing can be finer than their transparent deli¬ 
cacy, when expanding, and for some weeks afterwards. In summer 
their smooth texture, and their deep, yet lively green, are highly 
gratifying to the eye ; and the warmth of their umber tint, when 
they hang on the trees during the winter season, as contrasted with 
the deep and solemn green of pines and firs, has a rich, striking, 
and most agreeable effect in landscape.” Arboretum Britannicum, 
page 1965. 
Although not altogether apropos in a descriptive work, we 
cannot close with the beech without quoting for the reader the 
poet Campbell’s exquisite lines, entitled “ The Beech Tree’s 
Petition.” 
“ Oh, leave this barren spot to me! 
Spare, woodman, spare the beechen tree! 
Though bud and flowret never grow 
My dark, unwarming shade below; 
