DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
161 
The Birch Tree. Betula. 
Nat. Ord. Betulacese. Lin. Syst. Moncecia, Polyandria. 
The Birch trees are common inhabitants of the forests of 
all cold and elevated countries. They are remarkable for 
their smooth, silvery- white, or reddish coloured stems, deli- 
cate and pliant spray, and small, light foliage. There is no 
deciduous tree which will endure a more rigorous climate, 
or grow at a greater elevation above the level of the sea. It 
is found growing in Greenland and Kamtschatka, as far north 
as the 58th and 60th degree of latitude, and on the Alps in 
Switzerland, according to that learned botanist, M. DeCan- 
dolle, at the elevation of 4,400 feet. It is undoubtedly the 
most useful tree of northern climates. Not only are cattle 
and sheep sometimes fed upon the leaves, but the Laplander 
constructs his hut of the branches ; the Russian forms the 
bark into shoes, baskets, and cordage for harnessing his rein- 
deer ; and the inhabitants of Northern Siberia, in times of 
scarcity, grind it to mix with their oatmeal for food. In this 
country the birch is no less useful. The North American 
Indian, and all who are obliged to travel the wild, unfre- 
quented portions of British America, — who have to pass over 
rapids, and make their way through the wilderness from river 
to river, — find the canoe made of the birch bark, the lightest, 
the most durable, and convenient vessel, for these purposes, 
in the world.* 
* The following interesting description of their manufacture, we quote from Mi- 
chaux. “ The most important purpose to which the Canoe birch is applied, and 
one in which its place is supplied by no other tree, is the constructiou of canoes. 
To procure proper pieces, the largest and smoothest trunks are selected ; in the 
spring, two circular incisions are made several feet apart, and two longitudinal 
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