132 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



is about half the size of the exotic species. The Red-flow- 

 ered Horse-chestnut, (yEsculus ruhicunda^) is a small tree 

 with scarlet flowers ; and the Smooth-leaved (^\ glabra^) 

 has pale yellow flowers. Besides these, are two small Horse- 

 chestnuts with smooth fruit, which thence properly belong 

 to the genus Pavia, viz : the Yellow-flowered Pavia, (P. 

 lutea,) of Virginia and the southern states ; and the Red 

 flowered, (P. rubra,) with pretty clusters of reddish flowers ; 

 both these have leaves resembling those of the Horse-chestnut, 

 except in being divided into five leaflets, instead of seven. 

 There are some other species, which are however rather 

 shrubs than trees. 



The Birch Tree. Betula. 



Nat. Ord. Betulacese. Lin. Syst. Monoecia, Polyandria. 



The Birch trees are common inhabitants of the forests of 

 all cold and elevated countries. They are remarkable for 

 their smooth, silvery white, or reddish coloured stems, deli- 

 cate and pliant spray, and small, light foliage. There is no 

 deciduous tree which will endure a more rigorous climate, 

 or grow at a greater elevation above the level of the sea. It 

 is found growing in Greenland and Kamtschatka as far north 

 as the 58th and 60th degree of latitude, and on the Alps in 

 iSwitzerland, according to that learned botanist, M. DeCan- 

 doUe, at the elevation of 4,400 feet. It is undoubtedly the 

 most useful tree of northern climates. Not only are cattle 

 and sheep sometimes fed upon the leaves, but the Laplander 

 constructs his hut of the branches ; the Russian forms the 

 bark into shoes, baskets, and cordage for harnessing his rein- 

 deer ; and the inhabitants of Northern Siberia, in times of 

 scarcity, grind it to mix with their oatmeal for food. In this 

 country the birch is no less useful. The North American 

 Indian, and all who are obliged to travel the wild unfre- 



