DECIDUOUS TREES AKD SHRUBS. 57 



are pendant. These latter, of a reddish color, contrast 

 finely against the whiteness of the trunk and main 

 branches, B. The Out-leaved Weeping Birch (var. 

 pendula laciniata), this popular and charming tree re- 

 sembles the species in many respects, but has delicately- 

 cut foliage, and a most graceful appearance, which makes 

 it a tree of the very first importance in ornamental plant- 

 ing, B. Two other varieties : Young's Weeping Birch 

 (var. pendula Youngii), considered by some the finest of 

 all the Birches, being of rounded, picturesque form, 

 with graceful, thread-like shoots, several feet long. The 

 Elegant Weeping Birch (var. pendula elegans) has the 

 branches pendant towards the ground, and directly par- 

 allel with the trunk, both have the white bark of the 

 species, and are remarkable for their elegance, D. The 

 graceful Weeping Birch (var. tristis) is a variety of pic- 

 turesque habit with light branches, arranged in clumps, 

 and reaching almost to the ground. The Purple-leaved 

 Birch (\Q.r. foUis purpureis), an effective kind with foli- 

 age that is tinged with purple, C. The Nettle-leaved 

 Birch (var. urticifolia) with leaves of dark-green, slight- 

 ly cut, and presenting a distinct appearance, D. The 

 Downy-leaved Birch (var. puiescens), with roundish 

 leaves, and slightly drooping habit ; and the Pyramidal 

 Birch (var. fastigiata) of very erect columnar form. All 

 the foregoing are varieties of the European White Birch, 

 and possess marked value. Among American Birches 

 the following are desirable for ornamental planting : 



Sweet or Cherry Birch {B. lenta), of rapid growth, 

 with large leaves that come out early, and dark-brown 

 bark, B. 



Paper or Canoe Birch {B. papyracea), very distinct, 

 with brilliant white bark, which may be easily separated 

 into thin layers. 



Poplar-leaved or American White Birch (B. alba 



