TETRANDRIA. DIGYNIA. Betcla, 
249 
Shrub upright, (one or two feet high. E.) Trunk hard, stiff. Bark brown, 
roughish, resembling that of TJlmus campestris. Branches expanding, 
straight, scattered, tapering, woolly, somewhat gummy at the ends. 
Leaves (on short foot-stalks ; E.) rather broader than they are long. St., 
commonly three from each bud. Lightf .; but frequently single and alter¬ 
nate, generally entire at the base, scollops often pointed. Catkins about 
half an inch long. Woodw. (. Fertile Catkins at the extremity of the 
branches, small. E.) 
our public schools, it were to be feared, that the truly laudable and time-honoured practice 
might become obsolete. The most elegant varieties of this tree may be observed to the 
utmost advantage in the romantic vale of the Llugwy, near Bettws, North Wales. Wilson 
well depicts such a spot: 
- - “ On the green slope 
Of a romantic glade we sat us down. 
Amid the fragrance of the yellow broom, 
While o’er our heads the weeping Birch tree streamed 
Its branches, arching like a fountain shower.” 
The Rev. Hugh Davies describes the largest Eirch he had ever seen as growing on a farm 
called Llwyn On, in the parish of Llanedwen, Anglesey. Mr. Winch states, that on the 
margins of the Cumberland and Westmoreland lakes, trees of this kind may be observed 
equalling in size and beauty those of Norway and Sweden, but are not found on the higher 
mountains. Such a display of vegetative symmetry and elegance as the Birch frequently 
exhibits could.not but inspire the rustic bards both of ancient and modern times, and 
must continue so to do while the remembrance of “ fair Ellen ” attracts to 
“ Where the rude Trossach’s dread defile 
Opens on Katrine’s lake and isle:” 
or while 
“ By Oughtertyre grows the aik, 
On Yarrow banks the birken shaw.” 
The t£ Birks of Invermay ” also aspire to the interest of classic ground ; nor has the tender 
sentiment ever been more feelingly blended with rural scenery, than in Ihe following 
effusion of the poet of nature: 
<£ Now simmer blinks on flowery braes, 
And o’er the crystal streamlet plays. 
Come let us spend the lightsome days 
In the Birks of Aberfeldv. 
Bonny lassie will ye go 
To the Birks of Aberfeldy ? 
While o’er their heads the hazels hing; 
The little birdies blythely sing, 
Or lightly flit on wanton wing 
In the Birks of Aberfeldy. 
The hoary cliffs are crown’d wi* flowers, 
White o’er the linns the burnie pours, 
And rising weets wi’ misty showers 
The Birks of Aberfeldy. 
Let fortune’s gifts at random flee, 
They ne’er shall draw a wish from me, 
Supremely blest wi’ love and thee 
In the Birks of Aberfeldy.” 
Of all the varied tints displayed by the declining year, none exceeds in brilliancy the 
foliage of 
- “ the golden Birch , 
With bark of silver hue 
Which forcibly calls to mind the instructive reflection of a recent author, that ec As the 
bursting buds and the bright verdure of the leaflets of the spring awaken the instinctive 
raptures of every unsophisticated heart, so even the leaf’s decay in autumn decorates the 
