DENDROLOGY. 



121 



similar to those of the black birch, though less sensible, which 

 they lose in drying. In its fructification, the yellow birch nearly 

 resembles the black birch. The fertile aments are borne on 

 short peduncles, and are twelve or fifteen lines long, five or six 

 lines in diameter, straight, of an oval shape, and nearly cylindrical. 

 The scales which compose them are trifid, pointed, and about 

 three lines in length : viewed through the lens, they are seen to 

 be downy. Beneath these scales are the small, winged seeds, 

 which are ripe about the first of October. 



The wood of the yellow birch is inferior in quality and in 

 appearance to that of the black birch, and never assumes as deep 

 a shade ; but it is strong, and when well polished makes handsome 

 furniture. In Nova Scotia and in the state of Maine, it is used 

 for that part of the frame of vessels which remains always in the 

 water. In Maine it is also used for the yokes of cattle and for 

 the frames of sledges ; and in Nova Scotia the young saplings 

 are almost exclusively employed for the hoops of casks. The 

 bark is highly esteemed in tanning ; and its wood is considered 

 an excellent combustible. 



Canoe Birch. 



PLATE XIII. 



Fig. 1, A leaf. Fig. 2 A fertile ament 



16 



JBetula papyracea. 



By the French Canadians 

 this tree is called Boideau 

 Blanc, White Birch, and 

 Boideau a Canot, Canoe 

 Birch : it is known to the 

 Americans also by these 

 denominations, and some- 

 times by that of Paper Birch. 

 The name of Canoe Birch 

 appears to be the most 

 proper, as it indicates an 

 important use which is made 

 of its bark. The canoe 

 birch is most multiplied in 

 the forests in the country 

 lying north of the 43d degree 



