CHAP. CIV. BETULA‘CE®. BE'TULA. 1703 
Russia, where whole tracts of forests of different kinds of trees occur, there 
is scarcely any tree more frequently struck by lightning than the birch ; which, 
he says, refutes the superstitious notion of the Laplanders, who, believing 
that the tree is never struck by lightning, seek for shelter under its branches 
in a thunder-storm. It has constantly been observed, he says, that the birch 
is always struck by the electric fluid transervely, below the top, and shivered 
to pieces ; while the pine is ploughed by a deep furrow from the apex to the 
ground, tearing off the bark, and leaving the tree entire. The common birch, 
Mr. Westwood observes, is a tree upon which a very great number of insects 
feed, seldom, however, causing any mischief of importance. Of these, it will be 
sufficient to notice a few of the more remarkable ; indicating by a star those 
which not only feed on the birch, but on various other trees ; and by a dagger 
those which feed on the birch only; commencing with the Lepiddptera, the 
caterpillars of which, either exclusively or partially, subsist upon its leaves. 
Amongst the butterflies, the Camberwell beauty (Vanéssa Antiopa) is a 
partial birch-feeder, whilst the brown hair-streak butterfly (Thécla bétule) 
seems to be confined to birch woods ; appearing in the winged state in the 
month of August. Amongst the Sphingide, Smerinthus tiliz (the lime hawk 
moth) occasionally feeds upon the birch. Amongst the Linnzan Bémbyces, 
the singular lobster caterpillar (Stadropus fagi) partially feeds upon this tree, 
and is met with, though but rarely, at Birch Wood, in Kent. *Leiocémpa 
dictz‘a and *L. dictedides, * Lophépteryx camelina, * L. carmelita, * Ptild- 
phora variegata, * E’ndromis versicolor (the rare glory of Kent moth), the 
reputed British species * Aglaia tau, *Eriogaster lanéstris, * Callimérpha 
miniata, * Lithosia quadra. Amongst the Nocttide, * Apatéla /eporina, 
* Acronycta auricoma, + Cerdépacha fluctudsa, * C. flavicdrnis (the caterpillar 
of which is a leaf-roller), * Cosmia trapetzina, +C. fulvago, * Brépha notha, 
* Catocala fraxini. Amongst the Geométride, * Hybérnia capreolaria, 
*H. prosapiaria, * H. defoliaria, * Phiglia pilosaria, * Biston prodromirius, 
*B. betularius, * Hipparchus papilionarius, +Cabéra exanthémata, + Mela- 
nippe hastata, + Emmelésia heparata. Amongst the smeller moths, +Pla- 
typteryx /acértula, * Drépana falcataria, * D. ungufcula, * P¥ralis barbalis, 
+ Antithésia betuletana, + Anacampsis bettlea, Aigéria spheciférmis (one of 
the small clear-winged hawk moths), and Zeuzéra z‘sculi (fig. 636. in p. 887.), 
feed upon the wood of the birch. The coleopterous insects, Balaninus 
bétulz, Deporaus bétule, Rhynchites bétula, and Chrysoméla bétulz, also 
feed upon the birch in the larva state, and are found upon it when they have 
attained their imago form, devouring the tender leaves and young shoots. 
Several species of Tenthredinidz, or saw flies, also feed upon the leaves 
whilst larva, including Selandria betuléti, and Lyda bétule. The little fat 
hemipterous insect A’radus bétule resides beneath 155 
the bark, whilst A‘phis bétule, Céccus bétule, and 
Psylla bétule subsist upon the young shoots and 
buds. When the birch begins to decay, various fungi 
root themselves into its wood. The principal of these 
are Dedalea detilina Fries (Agaricus detilinus L., 
and smell. The epidermis is very thin and delicate, and easily 1554 
peels off; when dry the whole plant is very light, and its tex- 
ture is between coriaceous and corky. (Eng. Fi., v. p. 140.) 
Polyporus fomentarius (see Q. Robur) and P. nigricans Fries 
are also found on the birch. The latter, though called the 
black amadou, is quite unfit for making tinder. It is a very 
distinct species, and is of a bright shining black, though, when 
old, the epidermis becomes cracked, and of a dull ash colour. 
Radulum orbiculare Fr. Ev, 1. p. 149. (Hydnum radula Fries 
Syst. Mus., 1. p. 423.; H. spathulatum Grev. Fl. Edin., p. 406.) is found on 
the trunks of dead birches.  Phltbia radiata Fries grows on the living birch 
