THE BIRCHES AND HORNBEAMS 



it seems to thrive best. The feminine charac- 

 teristics associated with this tree in our minds 

 " Most beautiful of forest trees, the Lady of 

 the Woods," etc. receive a curious shock 

 when we come suddenly upon a huge old birch 

 growing in a clearing in the woods, for all the 

 world like a middle aged and corpulent ma- 

 tron among the younger trees. 



The wood of the canoe birch is light, but 

 it is hard and strong. It is used for making 

 shoe lasts and shoe pegs, spools, wood pulp, 

 and for fuel. The Indians use it for making 

 sledges, paddles, the frames of snowshoes, and 

 the handles of hatchets. They also use the 

 bark for making canoes, wigwams, and baskets, 

 and they make a drink from the sap of the 

 tree. 



The generic name, Betula, probably comes 

 from the Celtic name for the birch, betu, or it 

 may possibly have come from the Latin batuere, 

 in reference to the birch rods with which the 

 Roman lictors drove back the crowds of people. 

 The specific name, papyri/era, refers to the 

 paper-like bark which peels off in thin lateral 

 strips. 



This birch is found in the mountains of New 

 England and generally throughout the North- 

 ern and Northwestern States. 



61 



