232 BETULA. 



scenes, and oft have we, when thus enjoying our escape 

 from our lowland home, been reminded of that passage 

 in the " Isle of Palms," where 



— on the green slope 



Of a romantic glen we sat us down, 



Amid the fragrance of the yellow broom, 



While o'er our heads the weeping birch tree streamed 



Its branches, circling like a fountain shower. 



The fragrance of the Birch is also an additional recom- 

 mendation that it possesses ; this it gives out at all times 

 when in leaf, but more particularly in spring, when the 

 leaves first expand, or after rain and heavy dews : and 

 we cordially agree with Sir T. D. Lauder, that a few 

 Birch trees should always be planted near a house, if 

 it be only for the fragrance they emit. 



As a wood the Birch may be deemed of a secondary 

 quality ; for, though under cover and protected from damp, 

 its durability is considerable, it very speedily rots and 

 decays when in contact with the earth. Its grain is 

 rather coarse, but has a satiny texture, and its colour 

 white, mixed or shaded with red. A vast quantity of 

 Birch timber is annually cut up for the staves of herring 

 barrels ; and indeed this is the principal use to which it 

 is now applied in the north of England and Scotland, 

 except in some parts of the Highlands, where it is still 

 the timber used in the construction of houses, and where 

 not only the greater part of the household- furniture, but 

 also of agricultural implements are made of it. It is 

 also used, together with the wood of the alder, for the 

 soles of clogs, a kind of shoe much worn during winter 

 by agricultural labourers in the north of England and 

 Scotland. 



Upon the Continent the wood of the Birch is more 



