580 DODECANDRIA. TRIGYN1A. Castanea, 
(C. ves'ca. E.) Leaves spear-shaped, with tapering serratures, naked 
beneath. 
. Even vessels consecrated to religious ceremonies, according to Pliny, were sometimes 
carved out of this wood, though its use was generally plebeian, 
‘‘Terra rubens crater, pocula Fergus erant.” Ovid. 
For depth of solemn shade the extensive Beech wood is not less impressive than the Oak 
grove ; nor are the grey smooth trunks, far as the eye can reach, like stately columns, 
glancing a partial stream of light, or dimly lost in distance, less calculated to inspire a 
reverential awe. 
“ There oft the Muse, what most delights her, sees 
Long living galleries of aged trees ; 
Bold sons of earth, that lift their arms so high, 
As if once mors they would invade the sky. 
In such green palaces the first kings reign’d. 
Slept in their shades, and angels entertain’d : 
With such old counsellors they did advise. 
And, by frequenting sacred groves, grew wise. 
Free from the impediments of light and noise, 
Man, thus retir’d, his noblest thoughts employs.” 
In the cavities of these trees bees delight to hive themselves. Where the worm has 
made depredations, spunge with oil of spike. This wood may be blacked and polished to 
resemble ebony. The ancients who commended it for powerful purposes, as Ricciolus 
for oars, and Apollonius as constructing the vast Argo, and Claudian for ships also, 
-—— “ Fagos metitur,” 
must surely have meant some less perishable material. The fruit has supported even men ; 
Chios is said to have endured a memorable siege by the benefit of this mast: but here again 
we may question the identity of the tree. When, however, we consider the agreeable 
canopy this tree presents in summer, and the comfortable mattresses afforded by the leaves 
for winter repose, (as used in Dauphiny and Switzerland), we may, without hesitation, hail the 
-——-- “ Silva domus, cubilia frondes.” 
And alhough we have refused assent to the repudiation of the Beech, we freely concur 
in the moral strain of the pious Vicar of Boldre, a portion of which, alluding to the fall 
of the leaf, we cannot refrain from here introducing ; 
“ Ut sylvae foliis pronos mutantur in annos } 
Prima cadunt; ita * * * 
Debemur morti nos, nostraque.” * * * 
* * * <( These naked shoots 
Barren as lances, among which the wind 
Makes wintry music, sighing as it goes, 
Shall put their graceful foliage on again, 
And more aspiring, and with ampler spread, 
Shall boast new charms, and more than they have lost. 
Then, each in its peculiar honours clad, 
Shall publish even to the distant eye 
Its family and tribe. 
* * * *- 
* % X 
These have been, and these shall be in their day, 
And all this uniform, unclouded scene, 
Shall be dismantled of its fleecy load. 
And flush into variety again.” Cowper. 
“ How does every thing around us bring its lesson to our minds ! Nature is the great 
book of God. In every page is instruction, to those who read. Mortality must claim its 
due. Death in various shapes hovers round us. Thus far went the heathen moralist. 
He had learned no other knowledge from these perishing forms of nature, but that men, 
like trees, are subject to death, 
