124 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



" call it Betula, and sometimes Betulla, from 

 the old verb batuo, signifying to beat ; because 

 it was and is often used for that purpose." 



The English word birch seems derived 

 from the German Birke, or the Dutch Berk ; 

 all the European languages are similar in the 

 pronunciation of the name of this tree. In 

 summing up the virtues of this tree, Coles 

 says, in his Paradise of Plants, " The civill 

 uses whereunto the birch-tree serveth are 

 many ; as, for the punishment of children, 

 both at home and at school ; for it hath an 

 admirable influence upon them, to quiet them 

 when they are out of order ; and therefore 

 some call it Make-peace." 



However terrible the birchen twigs may be 

 to the idle boy, the man of taste must be 

 pleased with the appearance its slender base 

 and inverted pyramidical top present, and 

 which is heightened by the soft tints of its 

 foliage, that plays with every breath of air 



O'er every vein a. shuddering horror runs, 

 Eton and Winton shake through all their sons. 

 All flesh is humbled, Westminster's bold race 

 Shrink, and confess the genius of the place: 

 The pale boy-senator yet tingling stands, 

 And holds his breeches close with both his hands." 



Pope. 



