Carpinus.] MONOECIA — POLYANDRIA. 349 



Woods, apparently wild, in the S. and SW. of England. Fl. May. 

 T} . — This noble tree is much cultivated in planlations on account of its 

 timber, of which Evelyn says, "it hath formerly built agood part of our 

 ancient houses in the city of London," and that he had "one large barn 

 near the city entirely framed of it." It affords excellent stakes for pali- 

 sades and props for vines and hops. It is good for mill-timber and for 

 water-works ; but if water touch the root of the growing tree, it spoils 

 both the fruit and wood. The nuts are used as an article of daily food 

 in the S. of Europe, and in parts of France I have had them served up 

 for breakfast, boiled in milk. 



25. Betula. Linn. Birch. 



1. B. dlha, L. {common Birch) ; leaves ovato-deltoid acute 

 doubly serrated glabrous. E. Bot. t. 2198. 



Woods, especially in heathy soils and in mountainous countries. Fl. 

 Apr. May. I^ • — There is a var. of this tree, {B. pendula, Roth. — Lindl. 

 Syn.p. 229,) with remarkably drooping branches, which are more ver- 

 rucose than in the common appearance. It is not unfrequent in the 

 Highlands of Scotland, and generally known by the name of the droop- 

 ing birch. To this Scott alludes : 



" Where weeps the Birch of silver bark, 

 With long dishevelled hair." 



The wood is tough and white, and employed for various purposes. Much 

 is burnt into charcoal. Brooms are made of it, and well-known instru- 

 ments of castigation. Of the bark, in some countries, hats and drinking 

 cups are formed ; and what is more important, the oil obtained from the 

 degot, or " white rind," is used in tanning the well-known Russia leather. 

 It is moreover employed by the people of the same country as a vermi- 

 fuge, and a balsam in the cure of wounds. A wine is made of the sap 

 in Scotland. The whole tree diffuses an agreeable odour, and is noticed 

 by Burns as the "fragrant birk." 



2. B. nana, L. (^Dwarf Birch); leaves orbicular crenate. B. 

 Bot. t. 232G. 



In several parts of the Highlands of Scotland. Rare in the Lowlands. 

 Fl. May. Tj . — This is a small shrubby plant, not exceeding 1 — 2 feet 

 in height. The leaves are on short footstalks. Fertile catkins at the 

 extremity of the branches, small. — Even this humble shrub the poor 

 Laplander turns to use. It is almost all he meets with in certain situa- 

 tions that can be converted into fuel for cooking food and driving away 

 the gnats ; and, covered with Rein-deer's skin, it serves him for a bed. 



26. CARpfNus. Lin7i. Hornbeam. 



1. C. Betulus, L. (^Hornbeam); scales or bracteas of the fruit 

 oblong serrated with 2 smaller lateral lobes. E. Bot. t. 2032. 



In woods and hedges, in a meagre, damp, tenacious soil, forming a 

 principal part of the ancient forests on the north and east sides of Lon- 

 don. Fl. May. Tj . — Rather a small tree, with ovate or subcordate, 

 doublj'-serrated, acute leaves, of which the veins are somewhat hairy, and 

 which are beautifully plaited when young. The wood of the Hornbeam 

 is white, tough and hard, and burns like a candle. It is used in turnery 

 work, for implements of husbandry, cogs of wheels, &c. The inner bark 

 yields a yellow dye. 



