\ M • I \l I - | 



BETU1 





l.\\\ ill hi I ULACl .!. ' 





V 



Amonl 



■ 



I tl \..\n- lih .( 2-1 



Trees or shrubs Leaves alternate, Bimple, \sitli tin primai 

 straight from die midrib to the margin ; stipuli - deciduoi l 



ceous, with Bmall 

 scales for tlieir 

 car} \. « lii.li are 

 sometimesan b 

 in ;i whorl so as to 

 simulate a real calj \ 

 (Ainu • Sta- 



mens distinct, oppo- 

 site tlic calycine 

 scales ; anthers 2- 

 celled. J Ovary 

 . 2-celled; o- 

 \ uli s solitary , pen 

 dulous, anatropal : 

 style single, or none; 

 Btigmas -. Fruit 

 thin,indehisceut,by 

 abortion I -celled, combim d with 

 the scales into a sort ol com . - 

 pendulous; albumen none; em- 

 bryo straight ; ci I flat ; 

 radicle superior. 

 The various kinds of Birch and Alder alone make up this < Irdi r, 

 which is distinctly defined, among the Amenta! Alliance, l>_\ its 

 fruit consisting of two carpels, in each of which ill 

 pendulous ovule. If they had albumen, the} might lx i 

 as (Jrticaceous plants «iili penduli and double cai 

 'I'lii ir nearest approach to other t (rders is to Liquidanibars, which 

 have a little albumen, and numerous amphitropal ovules. In die 

 male Rowers of Beveral species Uiere i- :i distinct approach to the 



formati fa four-leaved membranous calyx The I 



the samt venation as Mastworts, which, how< \i r, havi 

 • ■in «.-; i In \, :iinl dms are distinguished by :i well-mark '1 cha 

 independently of their cupule or involucre. 



Inhabitants of the woods of Europe, Nordiem Asia, die II 

 layas, and North America, and even making dieii 

 tlic mountains of Peru and Columbia, and in die ai 

 of existing up to the last limits between land and et< rnnl si 



The species' are usually timber trees, widi d 

 sometimes employed as a febrifuge; but dicy are chief!} i 

 ornaments oi a landscape. Their wood is ofu n ligl I 

 of the Black Birch of Noi tli America is one ol the hai 

 The bark of this species has a singular acri 

 resinous substance called Betuliue, or Birch Campl 

 mon Birch is employed in dressing Rum 

 Prom Betula papyracca the Nordi American India - 

 manufacture it into boats, shoe-soles, an I 

 mon Birch (B. alba) is obtained in tin- spring 



i ■ i \\ in 



: 



■ 



i i l.\ \ ill. * and ■ itkins of Betula i 

 (I \i \ B tula lenta i. • • ■ 



•* iniiMri-, Bectloo of i:. 



