60 
YELLOW BIRCH. 
shoots have an agreeable taste and smell, similar to those of the Black 
Birch, though less sensible, which they lose in drying. 
In its fructification, this species nearly resembles the Black Birch. The 
fertile aments are borne on short peduncles, and are 12 or 15 lines long, 5 
or 6 lines in diameter, straight, of an oval shape, arid nearly cylindrical. 
The scales which compose them are trifid, pointed, and about 3 lines in 
length : viewed through the lens, they are seen to be downy. Beneath 
these scales are the small winged seeds, which are ripe about the first of 
October. 
The wood of the Yellow Birch is inferior in quality and in appearance 
to that of the Black Birch, and never assumes as deep a shade ; but it is 
strong, and, when well polished, makes handsome furniture. In Nova 
Scotia, and in the District of Maine, it is found by experience to be every- 
way proper for that part of the frame of vessels which remains always in 
water. In the District of Maine it is preferred for the yokes of cattle and 
for the frames'of sledges ; and in Nova Scotia the young saplings are almost 
exclusively employed for the hoops of casks. 
The Yellow Birch is an excellent combustible, and it is anuually trans- 
ported in great quantities from the District of Maine to Boston. Its bark 
is highly esteemed in tanning ; butin Maine it is employed ina very small 
proportion, and only for what is called by the curriers fair leather. 
Oddy, in his Treatise on European Commerce, affirms that great quantities 
of Yellow Birch boards are imported into Scotland and Ireland, and that 
they are highly -esteemed in joinpry. The Birch mentioned by Oddy, is 
doubtless the species which I am describing. 
Such are the observations concerning this tree which I collected in my 
travels throtigh the United States ; they lead me to believe that the soil 
^nd climate of Germany -would be more favourable to its multiplication 
than those of France, where the preference should be given to the Black 
Birch, which requires less humidity. 
PLATE LXXIII. 
A branch with leaves and fertile aments of the natural size. Fig. 1 , A seed. 
Fig. 2, The scale which cavers the seed. 
[The Yellow Birch is a highly ornamental tree, and deserves attention 
from the planter of taste.] 
