152 History of Hingham. 



ful, loaded as they are when ripe with golden pollen. Those of 

 this species are especially conspicuous. 



American White Birch (Betula populifolia, Ait.). This, the 

 common White or Little Gray birch of our woods and fields, is a 

 slender, sometimes rather tall tree, with thin, white, peeling, outer 

 bark and very small branches, merely twigs in fact, covering the 

 tree with their growth. It generally grows in clumps, from old 

 roots, and the trunk is short lived for this reason ; but upon its 

 being cut or blown down new shoots at once succeed it. The 

 leaves are small, shining, and triangular. 



Canoe Birch (Betula papyrifera, Marsh.). This tree is rare 

 now, growing only along the shores of the bay near Crow Point, 

 at Iluit's Cove, and at Broad Cove. Its leaves are thicker and 

 coarser than those of the other species. The outer bark peels off 

 in large sheets, is chalky white on the outside layers, the inner 

 ones pinkish. It was used by the Indians for their canoes. This 

 is a large and strongly branched tree. 



The Speckled Alder (Ahius vncana, Willd.) grows in clumps 

 along Weir River near Turkey Hill, at South Hingham, and else- 

 where in wet places. It is a tall shrub with speckled bark, and 

 serrate and deeply cut dark-green leaves. 



The Common Alder (Alnus xcrrulata, Ait.) is present every- 

 where on wet lands. It is a high shrub, growing in clumps. Tlie 

 leaves are shining, roundish, and finely serrate. The male flow 

 ers of the Alders are graceful catkins, generally several together, 

 and appear very early in spring. The scales open and show at 

 maturity beautiful golden flowers. 



American Hornbeam (Carpinus Caroliniana, Walt.). This 

 tree, t lie leaves of which are almost exactly like those of the pre- 

 ceding species, is common in town, preferring low, wet grounds. 

 It is found at Rocky Nook, Turkey Hill, Lasell Street, and 

 elsewhere. 



The Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya Virginica, Willd.) grows at Old 

 Colony Hill, dishing Street, Huit's Cove, and at many other 

 points. Its fruit resembles that of the Hop Vine. The wood is 

 very hard and the trunk often twisted in appearance. 



Common Hazel (Corylus Americana, Walt.). This plant, gen- 

 erally growing in shrubby bunches, is found everywhere. It is 

 one of the first of our shrubs to blossom, putting forth its delicate 

 catkins in early spring, together with the very small and beauti- 

 ful female flowers, scattered along the twigs like scarlet stars. 

 Its nuts are much like those of the Filbert imported for the 

 market. 



The Beaked Hazel (Corylus rostrata, Ait.) is occasionally met 

 with in Hingham, growing in Third Division woods, on Kilby 

 Street, and elsewhere. The leaves and manner of growth are 

 hardly distinguishable from those of the Common Hazel. It 

 derives its name from the curved beak or long point which pro- 

 jects from the husk which encloses the nut. 



