Birch (Figs. 240, 254) of various species is a wood resembling cherry in its properties, and when stained to imitate it, is often used in place of the more expensive material for interior finishing and furniture. It is used commonly also for spools, turned boxes, wooden shoes, shoe-lasts, shoe-pegs, wagon-hubs, ox-yokes, and many other carved or turned articles.

Fig. 240. Transverse section of birch wood, 3/1.

Fig. 240.-Transverse section of birch wood, 3/1. (Hartig.)

Fig. 254. White Birch (Betula alba, Birch Family, Betulaceoe). 1, flowering branch. 2, fruiting branch. 3 6, staminate flowers. *6, stamen. 7, part of pistillate flower cluster. 8, group of pistillate flowers, outer view. 9, same, inner view. 10, bracts. 11, 12, the same as ripened in the cone. 13, fruit. 14, winter twig. 15, a three year old twig, cut across. (Willkomm.) Tree growing 24 m. tall; bark white; leaves and young twigs resinous; flowers yellowish; fruit brown. Native home, Eurasia.

Fig. 254.-White Birch (Betula alba, Birch Family, Betulaceoe). 1, flowering branch. 2, fruiting branch. 3-6, staminate flowers. *6, stamen. 7, part of pistillate flower-cluster. 8, group of pistillate flowers, outer view. 9, same, inner view. 10, bracts. 11, 12, the same as ripened in the cone. 13, fruit. 14, winter twig. 15, a three-year-old twig, cut across. (Willkomm.)-Tree growing 24 m. tall; bark white; leaves and young twigs resinous; flowers yellowish; fruit brown. Native home, Eurasia.