( 7 ) 



like the weeping willow j and like it, is put 

 in motion by the leaft breath of air. When 

 agitated, it is well adapted to chara6lerize a 

 ftorm ; or to perform any office in landfcape, 

 which is expecled from the weeping willow. 



The ftem of the birch is generally marked 

 with brown, yellow, and filvery touches, 

 which are peculiarly pi6turefque ; as they are 

 characleriflic objecls of imitation for the pen- 

 cil ; and as they contraft agreeably with the 

 dark green hue of the foliage. But only the 

 ftem, and larger branches have this varied 

 colouring : the fpray is of a deep brown. As 

 the birch grows old, its bark becomes rough 

 and furrowed. It lofes all its varied tints, and 

 aflumes a uniform, ferruginous hue. 



The bark of this tree has the property 

 (perhaps peculiar to itfelf,) of being more 

 firm, and durable than the wood it inverts. 

 Of this the peafants of Sweden, Lapland, and 

 other northern countries, (where birch is 

 abundant,) take the advantage; and fhaping it 



like tiles, cover their houfes with it. How 



very durable it is, we have a remarkable inftance 

 in Maupertuis's travels. When that philofopher 

 traverfed Lapland to meafure a degree of lati- 

 tude, he was obliged to pafs through vail 



forefts, 



