LEAF AND BRANCH 



261 



is somewhat stiff in its branches, but it hardly 

 knows such a thing as rest in its leaves. The 

 slightest breeze starts them trembling. The Leaves in 

 Normandy poplars are forever fluttering and 

 twittering, even in calm weather. The gent- 

 lest breath of wind will turn up the silver 

 of their foliage, and a row of them along 

 a road will glitter and flash light at times like 

 the glass pendants of a chandelier. Strange 

 flashings of light and color are also shown at 

 times by the beech, particularly the copper- 

 beech, and it, too, sways easily ; but not so the 

 large-leafed trees like the walnut and the oak. 

 They make much noise, but move less in their 

 branches than the thin, narrow-leafed growths. 

 The leafy trees in groves or forests, when 

 agitated by winds, have a sound like that of a 

 distant waterfall or fast-driven rain, and any- 

 one who has stood on a mountain-top and heard 

 a storm coming down the valley knows wherein 

 "the roar of the storm" consists. It is the 

 roar of foliage struck by wind and rain. All 

 the sounds from trees seem to be more subdued 

 at night than at any other time. The night 

 winds that stir the leaves and set the whole 

 wood whispering, are gentle breezes, and possi- 

 bly because of their gentleness they are great 



