BETULACEAB 275 



celled; cells 1-ovuled ; fruit compressed, often winged, dry and indehiscent, by 

 abortion 1-celled, 1-seeded ; seed destitute of albumen. 



379. BET'UL,A, Tournef. 



[The ancient Latin name.] 



STAM. AMENTS with the bracts peltate, each bract with 2 bractlets, 

 and 3 florets. Calyx a scale, with 4 stamens at base (or 12 to each 

 bract); anthers oblong, 1-celled, subsessile. PISTILLATE AMENTS 

 with the bracts 3-lobed, imbricated. Calyx none. Ovaries 3 under 

 each bract ; stigmas 2, filiform. Fruit a lenticular winged nut, or 

 samara, by abortion 1-celled, 1-seeded; feed pendulous. Mostly 

 trees, with a smooth reddish-brown (sometimes white) bark which 

 exfoliates in thin laminae. 



1. K. iiiafra, /A Leaves rhombic-ovate, acute; fertile amenta 

 oblong; bracts villous, the lobes sublinear, obtuse. 

 BLACK BETULA. Black Birch. Red Birch. River Birch. 



Stem 50 to 70 feet high, young branches virgate, with a cinnamon-colored bark. 

 Leaves 2 to 4 inches long, sometimes roundish- or deltoid-ovate, doubly serrate; 

 petioles % to % of an inch in length. Pistillate aments about an inch long, % to 

 % an inch in diameter, obtuse, on short peduncles ; bracts 3-cleft two thirds of 

 their length. Nuts compressed, ovate, with a ciliate margin which is widest 

 toward the base. 

 Hob. Low grounds; along streams: not common. Fl. April. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. The timber of the Birches is not particularly valuable, 

 though sometimes converted into lumber. The virgate branches were 

 famous instruments in the hands of Pedagogues, of the olden time, 

 in promoting good order, and a close attention to study, among the 

 rising generation; to which fact the Poet PHILIPS refers, when he 

 sings of 



" afflictive Birch, 



"Curs'd by unlettered, idle youth." 



But the " march of mind," in our age of progress, has rendered such 

 auxiliaries nearly "an obsolete idea"! The flexible twigs of this 

 species instead of being used to regulate and stimulate unruly 

 and idle boys are now chiefly employed in the manufacture of 

 coarse brooms, for sweeping streets, and stable-yards, in our cities. 



5B B. Iriita. L. Leaves cordate-oblong, acuminate, fertile aments 

 elliptic-ovoid; bracts hairy, the lobes ovate-lanceolate, rather 

 acute, prominently veined. 

 SOFT, OR PLIANT BETULA. Sweet Birch. Cherry Birch. 



Stem 30 to 60 feet high ; branches numerous, slender, pliable, dotted with small 

 white scars. Leaves 3 or 4 inches long, thinnish, unequally and sharply serrate; 

 petioles about half an inch in length. Pistillate, aments about an inch long, and % 

 of an inch in diameter, obtuse, subsessile; bracts 3-cleft nearly half their length. 

 Nut compressed, elliptic-obovate, acute at each end, with a margin somewhat 

 ciliate, and wider toward the summit, but narrower throughout, and smoother, 

 than in the preceding species. 

 Hob. Along rivulets, on the slaty hills : rare. Fl April. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. The wood of this is said to be rose-colored and fine-grained, 

 valuable for cabinet-work. The bark, and young twigs, are pleas- 

 antly aromatic, and sometimes employed in domestic brewings, 

 and diet-drinks. 



