VIII. 1. THE POPLAR. 241 



sterile ament is an oblique, cup-shaped scale, containing from 

 eight to thirty or more short stamens. The similar scale in the 

 fertile flower contains a single ovary, crowned with two bifid 

 stigmas. The matured ovary becomes a capsule, which opens 

 with two valves, disclosing the numerous minute seeds cinct- 

 ured with a silken or cottony crown. The sterile aments, mak- 

 ing their appearance before the leaves, and when few flowers 

 are to be seen, are striking objects from their size, and the rich 

 red color of their very numerous stamens. 



The trees of this genus are all of very rapid growth, espe- 

 cially in moist situations, by the sides of running streams ; and 

 they are remarkable for the readiness with which they may be 

 propagated by cuttings or layers. They also grow readily 

 amidst the dust and smoke of close and crowded towns. They 

 may thus be planted by persons totally unacquainted with ar- 

 boriculture, and, in situations where no other tree will flourish, 

 will, in a surprisingly short time, exhibit a pleasant object, and 

 exclude disagreeable ones. Evelyn calls the poplars "hospita- 

 ble trees, for any thing thrives under their shade." 



The wood was used by the ancients for the purpose of mak- 

 ing bucklers, as it is very light and somewhat tough, and thence 

 it is not broken, pierced or splintered by a blow, but only in- 

 dented. " The wood of the poplar is soft, light, and generally 

 white or of a pale yellow. It is of but little use in the arts, 

 except in some departments of cabinet and toy-making, and 

 for boarded floors; for which last purpose it is well adapted, 

 from its whiteness, and the facility with which it is scoured ; 

 and also from the difficulty with which it catches fire, and the 

 slowness with which it burns. In these respects, it is the very 

 reverse of pine. Poplar, like other soft woods, is generally 

 considered not durable ; but this is only the case when it is ex- 

 posed to the external atmosphere, or to water ; and hence the 

 old distich, said to be inscribed on a poplar plank, — 



' Though heart of oak be e'er so stout, 

 Keep me dry, and I'll see hirn out,' 



may be considered as strictly correct."* 



* Loudon, Vol. Ill, p. 1637. 



QO 



