208 



THE BIRCH. 



is also a slight difference in tlie leaves, wliicli are smaller 

 and somewhat downy. 



The Birch is a tree of rapid growth, especially when 

 yoimg ; and as it is little affected liy exjiosure, it forms an 

 excellent nurse for other trees. The soil which it prefers 



is turf over sand, and in such situations it attains maturity 

 in about fifty years ; but it seldom exceeds fifty feet in 

 height, with a trunk from twelve to eighteen inches in 

 diameter. The bark jDossesses the singular property of 

 being more durable than the wood which it encircles. Of 

 this the peasants of Sweden and Lapland, where Birch is 

 very abundant, take advantage, and, shaping it Idee tdes, 

 cover their houses with it. Travellers in Lapland have 

 noticed in the Birch-forests, that when the soil is very 

 scanty, the trees are liable to be blown down ; so that, in 



