Birch

the English name of the trees and shrubs belonging to the botanical genus betula. The common birch grows best in healthy soils and in Alpine districts, The drooping or weeping birch is a variety of this tree. It grows wild on the European continent and in Asia. The wood of the birch is tough and white. It is used for making brooms; it is often burned into charcoal; twigs are by many employed for purposes of castigation. The oil obtained from the white rind is used in tanning Ru ia leather. The Ru ians turn it to account also asa. vermifuge and as a balsam in the cure of wounds. In some countries the bark of the birch is made. into hats and cups. The canoe birch, of which the North American indians constructed their portable capoes is so called for that reason.; Birch, Samuel, an English Orientalist, born in London, Nov. 3, 1813. He entered the British Museum as A istant Keeper of Antiquities, in 18386, and ultimately became Keeper of the Kgyptian and A yrian Antiquities. He was especially famed for his capacity and skill in Egypt ology, and was a ociated with Baron Bunsen in his work on Egypt, contributing the philological portions relating to hieroglyphics. He died Dec. 27, 1885.