s. m, The birch (Betula Bhojputra, B. Jacquemontii, Nat. Ord. Betulaceæ) found abundantly in the Panjab Himalaya. It grows to a higher elevation than most other trees, and may generally be seen occupying a tract above coniferous forests. The wood is almost valueless, and is only used for ploughs, small bridges at altitudes and in tracts where other trees are scarce. It is good for turnery, and in Kanawar poles of it are used for carrying and swinging a heavy kind of ark in religious processions, which implies some strength and elasticity. In Kangra, being sacred, the bark is used for funeral piles, and at the shrine of Amarnath, in Kashmir, the pilgrims are said to strip and indue themselves with this. In Kashmir and Kumaon it is found very durable put under the earthen roofs, and it is largely used for covering umbrellas and packing apples, pomegranates, tobacco and drugs. It is also employed for writing paper, for which it is said to do excellently, and is exported to the plains for wrapping round hnkká tubes.