( 7 ) 



like the weeping willow; and like it, is put 

 in motion by the leaft breath of air. When 

 agitated, it is well adapted to characterize a 

 ftorm; or to perform any office in landfcape, 

 which is expected from the weeping willow. 



The item of the birch is generally marked 

 with brown, yellow, and lilvery touches, 

 which are peculiarly pidurefque ; as they are 

 characteristic objects 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, it's bark becomes rough 

 and furrowed. It lofes all it's varied tints, and 

 affumes 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 invefts. 

 Of this the peafants of Sweden, Lapland, and 

 other northern countries, (where birch is 

 abundant,) take the advantage - y and maping 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 vaft 



forefts, 



