168 COLONSAY 



country. The London Plane withstands the smoky atmo- 

 sphere of London better than any other tree. 



Betula, L. 



A small genus of graceful trees. Various ornamental articles 

 are made from the bark of the North American Paper-birch. 

 Weeping forms are highly ornamental. The following were 

 kindly named by Kev. E. S. Marshall, M.A., F.L.S. 



B. alba, L. Silver Birch. Beithe-geal. Recorded by 

 Mr Grieve. Badge of the Clan Buchanan. 



B. alba, L., x tomentosa. Natural wood. May. 



B. tomentosa, Keith and Abel. Common Birch. Beithe. 

 This, and its varieties, constitutes the bulk of the natural 

 woods. The wood was used of old, as now, for making 

 bobbins. Shinties were made from the branches, as the 

 wood was free from "deurach." Brooms and withes (gad) 

 were made from the fine spray. The bark was used for 

 tanning. May. 



B. tomentosa, R. and A., b denudata, E. S. Marshall. 

 South-east of Sron Fhionnlaidh. 



B. tomentosa, R. and A., c parvifolia, E. S. M. Dwarf 

 trees, heather hills above Coille Bheag. Named by Mr 

 Bennett. 



Alnus, Hill. 



A. rotundifolia, Mill. Common Alder. Fearn. Side of 

 burn, Kiloran. It was largely employed for planting in 

 wet situations in Kiloran woods. The bark and small 

 branches, by boiling, gave a black dye which (with copperas) 

 was used for dyeing yarn, etc. March. In Ireland the 

 wood is used for making clog-soles. The wood has the 

 peculiarity of splitting best from the root, hence the saying : 

 "Gach fiodh o'n bharr, 's am Fearn o'n bhun." The 

 young wood is used for making charcoal for the manufacture 

 of gunpowder. 



