THE BIRCH. 113 



Though the people of more favoured places 

 rather des])ise the birch-tree, and leave it to the tur- 

 ner, out of which to make some of the smaller of his 

 wares, or employ the shoots as mop-handles and the 

 twills as brooms, there are situations in which it is 

 amon^j; the most valued and valuable productions of 

 nature. 



Birch — Betula alba. 



In those parts of the highlands of Scotland where 

 pine is not to be had, the birch is a timber for all 

 uses. The stronger stems are the rafters of the 

 cabin ; wattles of the boughs are the walls and the 

 door ; even the chests and boxes are of this rude 

 basket-work. To the Highlander, it forms his spade, 

 his plough, and, if he happen to have one, his cart 

 and his harness ; and when other materials are used, 

 the cordage is still withies of twisted birch. These 

 birch ropes are far more durable than ropes of hemp; 

 and the only preparation is to bark the twig, and twist 

 it while green. 



In ancient times, both in Britain and other parts of 

 Europe, strong and light canoes were made of the 



L 3 



