214 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



a small cone of deciduous or permanent scales containing thin 

 seed-like fruit. 



About 40 species constitute this family, the greater number 

 being natives of the temperate regions of the Northern Hemi- 

 sphere, where, with the poplar, willow, and white spruce, 

 they extend to the limit of tree life, and are also sparingly 

 found in high southern latitudes. 



Birch {Betula alba). The white birch is a well known 

 graceful tree grown throughout the whole of Europe ; in 

 bleak rocky situations it assumes the habit of a shrub. 

 Its wood and bark are used for many domestic purposes ; in 

 Lapland bread is made from the bark, in Eussia an oil is 

 extracted from it and used in the preparation of Russian 

 leather, and imparts the well-known scent to it. Its sap flows 

 freely in the spring, and as it contains a quantity of sugar it 

 is fermented and forms a pleasant wine called birch wine. 



Paper Birch (^Betula papyracea). A native of North 

 America. It has a very thick bark, which is taken off in 

 large sheets, and by uniting them canoes are made of it — 

 some large enough to carry about a dozen people. It is also 

 made into shoe soles and domestic utensils. 



Black Birch {Betula nigra). Also a native of North 

 America. Its timber is tolerably hard, and is used for many 

 purposes. 



Alder {Alnus glutinosa). A small tree common in this 

 country and throughout Europe. It has soft wood, which 

 soon decays, but is of great durability when placed under 

 ground or in water. In some places it is largely grown for 

 making charcoal, which is used in the preparation of inferior 

 kinds of gunpowder. Bowls and other domestic utensils are 

 made of the wood. 



The Candleberry Myrtle Family. 



(Myricace^.) 



A small family consisting of about forty species of shrubs, 

 scarcely attaining a height sufficient to be called trees, having 



