THE ALDEB. 



51 



top as the last mentioned tree, it grows to a loftier 

 stature. There are several varieties of it, and the 

 broad-leaved and the small-leaved are ranked as dis- 

 tinct species by Sir J. E. Smith ; but that called 

 the Common Lime is the best. It is a hardy plant* 



THE BIRCH. 



Of the Birch there are two sorts commonly cul- 

 tivated in this country, the common and the weeping- 

 birch ; both of them, but more especially the latter, 

 being very handsome trees, though they do not pos- 

 sess the grandeur belonging to some others. The 

 birch is a native of Scotland, and of all the northern 

 parts of Europe, Asia, and America. It is a very 

 hardy tree, and attends the Scots fir in its nearest 

 approaches to the pole. 



THE ALDER. 



The Alder is likewise a native of Scotland, and 

 extremely hardy. It is generally a diminutive, ill- 

 looking tree, but as it will grow on land which almost 

 every other species rejects, it deserves indulgence. 

 From the colour of the wood, it has been nick-named 

 " Scotch Mahogany,'' jtn appellation which, in the 



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