DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 89 



two peculiar briicts. Specimens may be seen on the banks near the rockery, 

 also along Cedar creek. 



J5IRCH, BTjAOK—Bclula lenta. 



This is found in swamps in this vicinity, and is easily detected by the chil- 

 dren on account of its bark, which has the taste of wintcrgreens. It was once 

 much employed in school rooms, where it was supposed to be necessary to help 

 maintain order. It is excellent for fuel, and for turning, and for splint 

 brooms. Specimens may be seen near the rockery: also in the swamps in this 

 vicinity. 



BIRCH, CHERRY. 



See birch, black. 



BIRCH, CUT-LEAVED WEEPING— Ue^tt^a alba, vur. pendula lacinialu. 



This is a cut-leaved weeping variety of the white birch. It stands unrivaled 

 among deciduous weeping trees. It is distinguished for its hardiness, tall, 

 slender trunk, graceful drooping branches, white bark, and finely cut leaves. 

 It is particularly well adapted for cemeteries and for small grounds. It is 

 one of the trees which should stand a little way from all others, where it can 

 display to good advantage many of its good qualities. No list of ornamental 

 trees is complete without one or more of this variety. The finest specimen 

 at the College grows west of the house of Professor Beal and south of the 

 house of Profe&sor Cook ; also another southwest of College Hall about ten 

 rods ; also east of the greenhouse a few rods. 



BIRCH, SWEET. 



See birch, black. 



BIRCH, WHITE— iJe^M?« alba, var. populi/olia. 



This tree is abundant on thin soil in northern Michigan. It is a nice, small 

 tree, valuable for ornament. A fine specimen stands a little east of the foot 

 bridge by the willows on the north side of the path ; also in the grove south of 

 Professor Cook's house; also in groups north and a little east of Williams 

 hall half way or more to the road; also south of the apiary. A few have been 

 seen growing wild in the neighborhood of the College. This is not the canoe 

 or paper birch. 



BITTERNUT— Cn;i/a amara. 



This is a slow growing tree found on moist soil. Its chief value is for fire- 

 wood. Two trees may be found within two rods southeast of the house of 

 Professor Cook. 



BL.AT>DY,R^UT—Slaphylea tri/olia. 



This large handsome shrub is common along river bottoms. A specimen 

 stands close to College hall by the foot of the west stairway on the south side ; 

 also in the grove close to and north of the Colleo;e well; also alons; the Cedar 

 river south of the greenhouse ; also in the arboretum. 



BOX-ELDER— iVeo'imdo aceroides. 



This beautiful tree grows rapidly but soon becomes crooked and out of 

 shape. It is found along our river banks. The leaflets much resemble those 



