FOREST 7KEES. 189 



•rapidly. I am not aware if the bark of the Birch has ever been used as 

 a substitute for white rags in the manufacture of paper, but in its native 

 condition it can be made use of for writing upon either with pen and 

 ink or pencil. 



The sap is rarely used here as it is in some of the Northern 

 countries of Europe for making wine and vinegar. Our settlers in the 

 Backwoods prefer the more generous juice of the Sugar maple for that 

 purpose. 



The extensive clearing away of the forest is a cause of great regret 

 to the Indians who have to go far back to obtain a supply of the canoe 

 bark. We no longer see the light canoe dancing on the waters of our 

 lakes, as formerly. I remember noticing a Squaw watching the burning 

 of a large log-heap, and in answer to some remark made, she observed 

 with a moody glance at the burning pile : " No canoe now — White mans 

 burn up Birch-tree. Go Buckhorn-a-lake for bark. Got-a-none here," and 

 wrapping her arms in the folds of her blanket she turned away sullenly 

 from the destroying fire, and no doubt there was anger in her heart 

 against the settler, for the trees of the forest which were being wasted 

 by axe and fire. Who could blame her ? Now, indeed, the want of the 

 Birch-bark is a sore loss and privation to these poor people. They 

 ■cannot go into the woods to cut down a single tree, without being liable 

 to fine for trespassing, and the game laws press hard upon them. The 

 Indian race is fast fading away like many of the native plants, we shall 

 seek them m their old haunts, but shall not find even a trace of them 

 left. 



Another of our native Birches is the 



Yellow OR Silver-barked Birch. — Betula lutea, (Michx. f.) 



The Yellow Birch grows to the height of 60 to 80 feet ; the bark is 

 .greyish with a silvery lustre, but in age the exfoliation of the bark gives 

 a rough ragged look to the tree. The wood is hard, capable of a fine 

 polish, is of a warm yellow, inclining to reddish colour, and is much 

 used for bedroom furniture. The bark gives out a brilliant gaseous 

 flame with a pleasant aromatic scent. The timber of this tree is excellent 

 lirewood, and next to the Black or Cherry Birch, is highly valued in 

 -cabinet work. 



Black Birch or Cherry Birch. — Betida lenta, (L.) 



is the most valuable ot the Canadian Birches. It has been known by 

 the term American Mahogany, on account of its colour and grain, and 

 not being liable to warp it is prized by the cabinet-maker among our first- 



