96 FLORA OF THE UPPER SUSQUEHANNA. 



H. glabra (IMill.) Britton. Pig-nut. Broom Hickory. Com- 

 mon. Nut thick-shelled, the kernel at first sweet then bitter. 

 ( Carya par etna Xutt. ) 



H. minima (Marsh.) Britton. Bitter -nut. Swamp Hickory. 

 Less common than the preceding. Nut thin-shelled, kernel bit- 

 ter. ( Carya amara Xutt. ) 



MYRICACE/E. 



COMPTONIA Banks. 



C. peregrina (L. ) Coulter. Sweet Fern. Very common in 

 sterile soil, often forming low thickets, especially on hillsides, 

 throughout our range. A well-known low shrub with fern-like, 

 aromatic foliage, in some repute as a medicine. {Myrt'ca aspie- 

 nifolia Endl.) 



BETULACE/E. 



BETULA L. 



B. lenta L. Black Birch. Sweet Birch. Cherry Birch. Tol- 

 erably common in rich soil. Bark with an aromatic odor and 

 sweet, spicy taste. By distillation it yields an oil that is much 

 used as a substitute for oil of wintergreen. Wood hard, dark 

 red, used in cabinet work. 



B. lutea Michx. f. Yellow Birch. Gray Birch. Very com- 

 mon in rich, moist woodlands. Bark yellowish, detaching in 

 thin strips that curl up and give the trunk a shaggy appear- 

 ance. Much less aromatic than the preceding. In spring this 

 species yields sap very freely. Wood soft. 



B. populifolia Marsh. White Birch. Gray Birch. Old Field 

 Birch. Very common, especially in moist soil, in the southern 

 part of our range. Not found in the Chenango and Chemung 

 valleys, Leaves triangular, long pointed. A small tree with 

 chalky-white bark, not aromatic, which does not detach readily 

 in layers. Wood very soft and nearly useless. 



B. papyrifera Marsh. Paler Birch. White Birch. Canoe Birch. 

 Frequent on the northern slopes of hills in the Chemung valley, 

 Lucy. Common at Goodrich Lake, Hoy. A large clump of 



