THE BLACK OE CHERET BIECH. 



The epithets "■black," "white," "red," and "yellow," 

 which are so commonly misapplied to certain trees for 

 specific distinction, — a misapplication very remarkable 

 with reference to the poplar, — are very well applied 

 to the different species of birch, and serve as intelli- 

 gible marks of identity. The Black Birch, for exam- 

 ple, is clothed with a dark-colored bark, which comes 

 nearer a pure black than any other color. No person 

 would dispute the color of the white birches ; that of 

 the yellow birch, though not pure, would never be mis- 

 taken for anything but yellow ; and the bark of the red 

 birch, though nearly white, is so thoroughly staiaed with 

 red as to demonstrate the propriety of its name. 



The Black Birch is also named the Cherry Birch, from 

 the resemblance of the tree to the American black cherry. 

 Its inner bark has the flavor of checkerberry, and its wood 

 some of the colors of mahogany; and it has received 

 names corresponding with these characters, such as Sweet 

 Birch and Mahogany Birch, and was formerly a favorite 

 material for cabinet furniture. The bark of this species 

 and of the yellow birch has very little of that leathery or 

 papyraceous quality which is so remarkable in that of the 

 white birches. This species does not extend so far north 

 as the others, but has a wider geographical range in and 

 below the latitude of New England. 



The Black Birch puts forth its flowers very early in the 

 year, of a deep yellow and purple and sensibly fragrant. 

 The foliage also appears early. The leaves are finely ser- 



