DODECANDRIA. TEIGYNIA. Castanea. 579 
F. Cal. five or six-leaved, prickly: Germ, three: 
Stigm. awl-shaped: Nuts three, invested with the 
calyx. E.) 
<c The sun, from rosy billows risen, had rayed 
With gold the mountain tops, when at the foot 
Of a tall Beech romantic, whose green shade 
Fell on a bx'ook, that, sweet-voiced as a lute. 
Through lively pastures wound its sparkling way, 
Sad on the daisied turf Salicio lay.” 
And again, 
<e Under the branches of the Beech we flung 
Our limbs at ease, and our bent bows unstrung.” 
In actual utility the Beech follows next to the Oak and Ash, exceeding the latter in dimen¬ 
sions : it is as necessary to the cabinet-maker and turner as the Oak is to the ship-builder, or 
the Ash to the plough and cart-wright. Its defect is being obnoxious to the worm. It thrives 
in crowded thickets; indeed, so encouraging is its nature, that it will ultimately prevail 
against its powerful antagonist the Oak. Nothing daunted, it occasionally braves the war of 
elements in the most exposed situations: where 
“ The Beech that scales the welkin with his top,” 
exhibits almost a preternatural magnitude in the distant horizon, apparently, with distance, 
enlarging upon the eye : and of such the Frankley Beeches, Worcestershire, so conspicuous 
for many miles around, are remarkable instances. The natural soil and situation of the Beech 
is upon dry, chalky, or limestone heights; it attains to a great size upon the hills of Surry 
and Kent; as also upon the declivities of the Cotswold and Stroudwater hills in Gloucester¬ 
shire ; and flourishes exceedingly on the bleak banks of the Wye, in Hereford and Mon- 
mouthshires; where it is much used in making charcoal. In situations like those, and 
where it is not already prevalent, the Beech, whether as a timber tree or as underwood, is 
an object worthy the planter’s attention. In the “Arctic Zoology” is described, on an island 
of the lake Wetter, and about the extreme range of these trees northward, a majestic plant 
called the Twelve Apostles, from its dividing into as many great stems. Only eleven of 
these are now standing, for some years since a zealous peasant cut down one of them, 
declaring that the traitor Judas should have no part with his brethren ! The names of 
many distinguished visitors are recorded on the bark of this surpassing tree, among which 
are those of Charles XI and XII, Queen Eleonora, &c. Of British growth a notable one 
may be seen in Knole Park, Kent, measuring one hundred and five feet in height, at three 
feet from the ground, twenty-four feet girt, and containing four hundred and twenty-eight 
feet of solid timber; as depicted in Strutt. Evelyn considered this tree deserving of an 
elaborate treatise, which his learned commentator has enlarged. Caesar denied the 
existence of the “ Fagus” in Britain, but we apprehend he must, by that term, (more 
antiquorum ), have intended some other kind of tree, Cowley, alluding to its various ap¬ 
plications, represents, 
- <f Sellas, armaria, lectos, 
Et mensas dabat, et lances, et pocula Fagus 
Happy times! when, 
<c The Beechen bowl without debauch went round. 
And was with harmless mirth and roses crown’d. 
’Twas not that any virtue in the wood 
Against the baneful liquor was thought good; 
But poverty and innocence were here. 
The antidotes against all ills and fear.” 
Of old, the Vasa Vindemiatoria and Corbes Messori®, (as are our little pottles for 
strawberries), were made with the rind: and that curiously wrought cup, which the shep¬ 
herd describes in the Bucolics, as engraven by Alcimedon ; 
-- “ Pocula ponam 
Fagina, cselatum divini opus Alciniedontis.” 
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