96 



ELEMENTARY WOODWORKING 



Indians under the branches of a magnificent elrn, which 

 remained standing until it was over two hundred years 

 old, when it was finally blown down. The spot has been 

 marked by a marble column. 



The tree is called the American, or white, elm, and we 

 have several other varieties growing wild, including the 

 well-known slippery elm, so called 

 because the inner bark is slippery 

 and edible. 



47. The Birches. If the black 

 birch with its sweet, aromatic bark 

 is not known to a boy, the white, or 

 canoe, birch is sure to be. It seems 

 to be the fate of this beautiful tree 

 to be disfigured by every wander- 

 ing youth who has strength enough 

 FIG. 105. Leaf of Black to tear off a strip of its paper-like 



Birch 



bark. 



The leaf of the black, or sugar, birch may be distin- 

 guished from the elm by its smoothness and thinness. 

 Its base is slightly heartshaped, the edge is double- 

 toothed, the tender bark on the twigs is sweet to the 

 taste, and the leaves grow in pairs. 



48. White Birch. The famous white, paper, or canoe 

 birch has a leaf somewhat broader than the black variety, 

 but without the heartshaped base. Its bark is its peculiar 



