540 MONOECIA POLYANDRIA 



flexible anil pendulous. Pistillate amenta 3 fourths of an inch to an inch Ion:, 

 and 1 third to half an inch in diameter, oblong, obtuse, on short pednncles; scales 

 3.clcft 2 thirds of their length, the segments equal, linear, or spaiulate-lincar, 

 obtuse, vlllose, especially along the margin. Nut much compressed, ovate, winced 

 with a broad membranous pubescent-ciliate margin, which is widest towards ihe 

 base. 



Hub. Low grounds; near West Chester: not common. JF7. April. />. Aug. 



06s. This tree is somewhat abundant along ihe Susquehanna, and other large 

 streams ; but is scarce in this County. 



2. B. lenta, /,. Loaves cordate-ovate, acuminate, sharply serrate, 

 the nerves beneath and petioles hairy ; pistillate aments elliptic-ovoid, 

 the scales roughish pubescent, with the segments ovate-lanceolate, rather 

 acute, prominently veined. Beck, Bot. p. 325. Icon, Jllx.f. Svlva, 

 2. tab. 74. 

 13. carpinifolia. Jtfx, Am. 2. p, 181. 



Soft, or Pliant Betula. Yulgo — Sweet Birch. Cherry Birch. 



Stan 30 to 60 feet high, and 1 to 2 feet in diameter, with numerous branches 

 which are slender, pliable, smooth, and sprinkled with small white scars. Leuves 

 3 or 4 inches long, and an inch and half to 2 and a half inches wide, thinnish, 

 varying from ovate-oblong to obovate, mostly somewhat cordate, and often a little 

 unequal at base, acuminate, unequally serrate, the serratures acuminate, the upper 

 surface sprinkled with long hairs, the margin and nerves beneath pilose ; petioles 

 about half an inch long, pilose. Slaminate aments 2 to 3 inches long, larger than 

 in the preceding. Pistillate aments about an inch long, and 2 thirds of an inch 

 In diameter, elliptic-ovoid, obtuse, subsessile ; scales 3-cleft nearly half their 

 length, cuneato at base, and roughish pubescent externally (glabrous, Authors), 

 the segments ovate-lanceolate and lance-oblong, rather acute (obtuse, Author*), 

 prominently keeled and nerved, or veined, hirsutely cilia e on the margin. Aut 

 compressed, elliptic-obovate, acute at each end, winged with a membranaceous 

 margin which is broader towards the summit, and somewhat ciliate,--but every 

 where narrower and smoother than in the preceding species. 



flub. South Valley hill: rare. Fl. April, Fr. August. 



Obs. This species is quite rare, here. 1 have only met with it along a rivulet 

 on the South Valley hill, below Geo. Vernon's; but understand it occurs on the 

 Northern side of the County. In districts where the trees abound, the trooil is 

 said to bo esleemed f.»r cabinet work. The bark and young twigs are pleasantly 

 aromatic ; and are sometimes employed in domestic brewings, and diet-drinks. 

 Six or seven additional species are enumerated in the U. Slates. 



433. CARPINUS. L. Am//. Gen. 756, 

 [Celtic, Car, wood, and Pitt, a head; beiug used in making yokes for cattle.] 



Stamixatr Fl. Aments €y lindric ; scales ovate, acute, ciliate near 

 the base. Anthers slightly bearded at summit. Pistillate Fl. 

 Aments oblong, loosely imbricated, bracteate, with the flowers in pairs; 

 scales unequally 3-lobed, 1 -flowered, persistent, enlarging and becoming 

 folia^eous. Perianth urceolate, 6-toothcd, incorporated with the ovary. 

 Styles 2, united at base. Am/ bony, ovoid, acute, subcomprcssed, 

 ribbed. 



Small trees: leaves alternate, sttpular; aments axillary ar.d terminal, the 

 pistillate ones fiually racemose, and foliaccous. Nut. Ord. 83. Lindl. Bbtulinbjb. 



