FOREST TREES. 57 
Western New York to Northern Illinois and south- 
ward, growing mostly on rich bottom lands. Its 
presence is a certain indication of a soil of great 
fertility. The leaves are large, the flowers dark purple. 
The fruit is oblong, with a pulp somewhat resembling 
egg custard in consistence and taste. Some people 
are fond of it, but it is too luscious for the taste of 
many. The trees seldom produce fruit near the 
northern limit of their growth. 
The wood is soft, spongy, and of no value. Asan 
ornamental tree, the beauty of its flowers and foliage 
recommend it to the notice of cultivators. 
- BETULA—BIRCH. 
, Natural Order, Betulacee. 
Sterile catkins long and drooping, terminal and 
lateral, formed in summer, and expanding. their 
golden flowers in early spring, preceding the leaves; 
fertile catkins, oblong or cylindrical, lateral, protected 
by scales through the winter, and developed with the 
leaves; seeds with a membranous edge; foliage 
mostly thin and light. 
The Birches described in this work are, with one 
or two exceptions, found mostly in northern latitudes, : 
and are best suited to cold climates, or elevated 
situations. Excepting the Red, and, perhaps, the 
Black Birch, they are not likely to be ever much 
cultivated south of latitude 40°. 
Small plants of the Yellow Birch and Canoe Birch 
can be cheaply obtained from the forests of Northern 
Wisconsin and Michigan. When this can be. done, 
