Fagus

[Lat., from Gr. phago, I eat.] ( Bot. ) The Beech, a genus of trees, order Corylacese. The common beech, F. American a, almost identical with the European beech, F. sylvatic a, forms one of the tallest and most majestic trees of the forest, abounding in the Middle, Western, and Southern States, in deep, moist soil, and in a cool atmosphere. The trunks of the trees are IMG:content-0113.png:[graphic] Fig. 983.- BEECH. FLOWER AND FRUIT, (natural size.) ( Fagus American a.) frequently 8-11 feet in circumference, and more than 100 feet high. The bark is smooth, ash-colored; the leaves alternate, plicate in vernation; staminate aments on long pendulous peduncles; nut small, 2 together a the 4-lobed burr, oily, sweet, and nutritioue; timber fine-grained, with reddish duramen, and white albumen. The roots de noi descend deeply into the soil, but extend to a considerable distance close under the surface. The Red-beech is now regarded only as a variety. There are several beautiful varieties in cultivation, with purple foliage, silver foliage, .