82 



THE BIRCH AND THE ALDEH. 



The leaves of the Birch are, as a rule, smaller than those of any 

 other British tree in which the outline is of the same character. The 

 " small- leaved elm" is the only other in which the dimensions are so 

 limited. Yet upon very young trees, and more especially upon those 

 luxuriant and vigorous side-shoots which start from the stumps of old 

 trees that have been cut down, they are often of incredible size. The 



J 



Birch. 



Alder. 



Birch. 



outline varies a good deal, changing from ovate to almost triangular ; 

 but there is always a sharp point, and the margins are always serrated. 

 The catkins make their appearance very early in the season, the males 

 starting from the extremities of the twigs, and growing in pairs, so as 

 to give the idea of little V's, until fully expanded,' which is simulta- 



