86 



THE BIRCH. 



tufts of twigs, which, seen at a distance, resemble 

 crows' nests. How it originates is unknown, 

 some persons assigning it to the puncture of an 

 insect, others to a peculiarity in the soil. 



A great variety of insects prey on this tree, but 

 not in sufficient number to do it any material 

 injury ; and many kinds of fungi fix themselves 

 on the decaying wood. A species of mushroom 

 {Amanita muscaria) is found in Birch-woods 

 which is amongst the most poisonous of the 

 tribe. Taken in small quantities it is narcotic, 

 and produces intoxication. In Kamschatka, 

 where it is very plentiful in some seasons, it is 

 carefully collected in the hottest months, and 

 hung up in the air to dry. It is swallowed with- 

 out being chewed, and produces no effect for an 

 hour or two, but at the expiration of that time 

 giddiness and drunkenness come on together, and 

 the subject of the disgusting experiment is no 

 longer master of his reason or his actions. 



A distinct species of Birch, hetula nana^ Dwarf 

 Birch, is found in Scotland and in all the north- 

 ern countries of continental Europe and America. 

 It is a low wiry shrub, rarely exceeding three feet 

 in height ; with numerous round, notched leaves, 

 which are beautifully veined. By the Laplander 

 it is applied to the same purposes as the twigs of 

 the larger kind. 



