THE GENUS FAGUS.
Fig. 87.—The Beech (Fagus).
The Beech (Fagus sylvatica) bears very little resemblance to the Oak. The male flowers are in globular catkins (see a in fig. 87), each flower consisting of a bell-shaped calyx (b), cleft into five or six teeth, and containing eight or ten stamens, which project beyond it. The female flowers also grow in globular heads (c) two or three together, surrounded by a great number of linear bracts, which gradually grow together, and form a four-lobed involucre shown open at d. In the centre of this involucre are two or more female flowers, each surrounded by a hairy calyx, cut into teeth at the tip (e). Each flower has three styles (f); and the ovary, which is sharply angular, has three cells, with two ovules in each. As the fruit swells, the linear bracts diminish, till at last they have only the appearance of small spines on the involucre (g), which opens when ripe into four valves (h), and contains two or three angular nuts (i), which are called the mast. The leaves of the Beech are of thin and delicate texture, and they are strongly feather-nerved. The tree is large and very handsome, and it is easily known, even in winter, by the smooth shining white bark of the main trunk. There are only two species of Fagus common in British gardens, and these are the common Beech (Fagus sylvatica) which has numerous varieties, including one with dark reddish purple leaves, generally called the Purple Beech; and the American Beech (F. ferruginea), the leaves of which are copper-coloured.
There are, however, two species from Terra del Fuego, which have been introduced, but they are at present rare. One of these (F. betuloides) is called the Myrtle tree in Van Dieman’s Land, where it is also found wild, and it is remarkable for producing a fungus on its trunk, which, when cut in slices and cooked, is said to be very good to eat.
THE GENUS CASTANEA.
