138 



THE BIRCH 



the watery tracts called^ in England^ marshes ; 

 in Ireland, bogs ; and in Scotland^ mosses^ or 

 peat mosses. 



Birch shrubs also ascend the bleak sides 

 of snowy mountain tops^ and relieve the eye 

 much, by their warmth of colouring, in those 

 inclement situations. The bark, you see, is 

 almost white ; the leaves are small and neat, 

 and the boughs are finely divided into slender 

 twigs. The wood, as timber^ is little valued 

 by people, who have forest trees of nobler kind 

 to resort to ; and is chiefly used for hoops and 

 clogs. In the times of archery, to which we 

 have referred, it was preferred for arrows. 

 The smaller branches are used for yard and 

 stable brooms. In the northern districts of 

 Scotland, where pines do not grow, the birch 

 is valued for its timber. The Highlander con- 

 structs his cabin with it ; the thick stems con- 



