TREES AND SHRUBS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 409 



v.— BETULACE^ : The Bikch Family. 



Betula lenta (Black or Sweet Birch). From the dark color of its bark 



sometimes called the cherry-birch. 

 Betula excelsa (Yellow Birch). Abundant and growing to a large size. 



One measured in Lanesborough was 10 feet 7 inches around. 

 Betula nigra (Red Birch). Abundant on the Merrimac Kiver, and on 



Spicket River and tributaries, and in neighboring swamps. 

 Betula papyracea (Canoe Birch). Does not grow to a large size in this 



State. 

 Betula populi/olia (White or Gray Birch). A small tree, but of rapid 



growth, and valuable for this reason. 

 Betula glandulosa (Dwarf Birch). Found in a few places in this State. 

 Ahius serrulata (Common Alder). Abounds along brooks and in swamps. 



Generally small, but in deep swamps, sometimes 6 to 8 inches in 



diameter, and 20 or 30 feet high. 

 Alnus incana (Speckled Alder). Found in every part of the State, and in 



same situation as the former. 



VI.— MYRICACB^ : The Wax- Myrtle Family. 



Myrica gale (Sweet Gale: Dutch Myrtle). A bush, in places inundated a 



part of the year. 

 Myrica cerifera (Bay Myrtle). A shrub in a great variety of soils and 



situations. 

 Comptonia asplenifolia (Sweet Fern). A small bush ; common. 



VII.— PLATANACE^ : The Plane Tree Family. 



Platanus occidentalis (Buttonwood). Of very rapid growth, and growing 

 to a large size, but the wood perishable, and of little value. 



VIII.— SALICIN^ : The Willow Family. 



Populus grandidentata (Large Poplar). Grows abundantly in the west- 

 ern and northern ports of the State, and to a height of 70 to 80 feet, 

 with a diameter of 16 to 24 inches. 



Populus tremuUformis ^ (American Aspen). Abundant. 



Populus candicans {Balm of Gilead). Introduced and much cultivated 

 for ornament. 



Populus laevigata (River Poplar). Grows rapidly, and to a large size, 

 on the Connecticut, above and below Springfield, on the Chicopee, 

 and at various places on Westfield Eiver. 



Salix tristis (Sage Willow : Dwarf Gray Willow). Dry sandy plains j a 

 small shrub. 



Salix humilis (Low Bush Willow). A shrub 6 or 8 feet high. 



Salix discolor (Two-colored, Bog, or Glaucous Willow). In wet swamps 

 at Dedhara. 



Salix eriocepho.la, Mchx. S. prinoides, Pursh. (Silky-headed Swamp Wil- 

 low). A small tree in swamps. 



Salix sericea (Silky-leaved Willow). A shrub or small tree ; promises to 

 be useful in basket-making. 



' P. trenuiloidea, of most botanists. Objections are stated with regard to this name 

 on account of etymological construction. 



