Proceeding's of the Ohio State Academy of Science 135 



1. Betula populifolia Marsh. American White Birch. 

 A slender, short-hved tree with smooth white bark, tardily sep- 

 arating in thin sheets. Autumn leaves pure yellow. Wood soft, 

 white, not (lural)le ; used for making spools, shoe-pegs, etc. 

 Leaves tremulous like those of the aspens. In moist or dry soil. 

 N. B. to Out., and Del. 



2. Betula papyrifera Marsh. Paper P)irch. A large 

 tree with chalky white bark separating in thin layers. The bark 

 is very water-proof and is used for making canoes by Indians and 

 trappers. Wood rather heavy, hard, and very close-grained ; de- 

 cays rapidly when e> ]:iosed ; used for making spools, pegs, shoe- 

 lasts, wooden shoes, wagon hubs, ox-3'okes, wOod-carving, wood 

 pulp, and in wood turnery. Xewf. to Alaska, Penn., ^lich.. Neb., 

 and Wash. 



3. Betula nigra L. River Birch. A slender tree with 

 reddish or greenish-brown bark peeling off in very thin layers. 

 Branches long and slender, arched and heavily drooping. Wood 

 rather light, hard, strong and close grained ; used for furniture 

 and turnery. "Birch brooms" are made from the twigs. Along 

 streams. Mass. and X. K. to Iowa, Kan., Fla., Tex., and Ohio. 



4. Betula lenta L. Sweet Birch. A large tree with dark 

 brown, close, smooth bark, becoming furrowed and not separating 

 in layers. Wood hard, fine-grained, of a reddish tint; used for 

 cabinet-work. Newf. to Ont., Fla., Tenn., and Ohio. 



5. Betula lutea Mx. f. 'S'ellow Birch. A large tree with 

 yellowish or gray bark, separating in thin layers or close. Au- 

 tumn leaves pure yellow. Wood hard and close-grained ; used in 

 making furniture, wheel-hubs, ])ill-boxes, etc. Xewf. to Man., 

 X^ Car., (ia., Teim., and ( Jhio 



*. Betula alba L. luu-()])ean White T.irch. .\ tree with 

 chalky-while bark, much cultivated for ornament, esp:cially th::' 

 "wee])ing" and cut-leaved varieties. 



19. Alnus ("laert. Alder. 



Shrubs or trees with the flowers in aments, monoecious. 

 Pith 3-angled ; buds stalked. Xuts small, compressed, in woody 

 cone-like catkins, which are persistent throughout the year. 



