TIMBER TREES. 31 



leaves are nearly triangular, with the lower angles- 

 rounded and the upper angle pointed, smooth on 

 both sides, seated on rather long foot-stalks. The 

 margin of the leaves is bluntly toothed. 



According to Ovid, when Phaethon borrowed the 

 chariot and horses of the sun, and by his heedless 

 driving set half the world on fire, he was hurled from 

 the chariot by Jupiter into the Po, where he was 

 drowned; and his sisters, the Heliades, wandering 

 on the banks of the river, were changed into trees. 

 Some authors believe these to have been "black 

 poplars," which are now abundant on the banks of 

 that river. 



' ' And eke those trees, in whose transform'd hue 

 The Sun's sad daughters wail'd the rash decay 

 Of Phaethon, whose limbs with lightnings rent, 

 They gathering up, with sweet tears did lament." 



(Spenser.) 



The leaves of this, as well as the Aspen, and in- 

 deed most of the poplars, have long and slender foot- 

 stalks, so that they wave and flutter with the slightest 

 draught of wind. This has afforded many a happy 

 allusion for the poets, from the time of Homer down 

 to modern days ; one Spanish poet compares the tree 

 to his lady's hair, 



" Each wind that breathes, gallantly here and there 

 Waves the fine gold of her disordered hair, 

 As a green poplar leaf in wanton play 

 Dances for joy at rosy break of day." (Garcilasso.) 



The ABELE, 1 or white poplar, is generally a small 



1 Populus alba. 



