382 CLASS XXI. ORDER VIII. 



Syn. Betula carfinifolia. Mich. 



This fine tree, sometimes alsc denominated Sweet birch, and 

 Cherry birch, is well known for its fragrant and aromatic bark. 

 Its young twigs are dark colored, and spotted with white. Its 

 leaves are smooth, ovate, heart shaped at base, ending in a long 

 point, with very acute, double serratures at the edge, and dis- 

 tinct, parallel veins underneath. The barren aments are pendu- 

 lous ; scales of the calyx three cleft; corolla three petalled; 

 anthers many ; the fertile ones straight. 



The wood of the black birch possesses many valuable qualities. 

 It is compact, smooth, of a reddish color, very strong, and not 

 liable to warp and crack. It is considerably used in cabinet 

 work, particularly for bedsteads. 



Betula excelsa. Ait. Yellow Birch. 



Leaves ovate, acute, serrate ; petioles pubescent. 

 Mx. f. sub. syn. 

 Syn. Betula lutea. Mx.f. 



Common in the eastern parts of New England, and brought to 

 Boston for fuel. It has considerable resemblance to B. lenta,hvii 

 the cuticle has a yellowish color. Fertile aments ovate, erect. 

 Bark slightly fragrant. "Wood valuable. 



393. CORYLUS. 

 CoRYLUs Americana. Walt. Common Hazel. 



Calyx of the fruit rounded and bell shaped, larger 

 than the nut, its border dilated, tooth-serrate; leaves 

 roundish, heart shaped, acuminate. Willd. 



The common hazel nut is a slender shrub, usually growing in 

 bunches about the borders of fields. The barren flowers grow 

 in long, pendulous aments ; the scales of the calyx ciliated with 

 the middle portion acuminated. Anthers about eight. The fer- 

 tile flowers grow in a sort of buds, on a different part of the 

 branch. The nuts, which are nearly equal in quality to the Eu- 

 ropean, grow in large bunches, each one invested with a large, 

 hairy calyx, extending considerably beyond the nut. — April. 



