TIMBER TREES. 33 



also frequently mentioned by Homer and Horace. 

 Simoisius, when killed by Ajax, is compared in the 

 Iliad to the fall of a poplar : 



" So falls a poplar, that in watery ground 

 Raised high its head, with stately branches crown 'd" 



In France this tree is so abundant in some of the 

 forests as to form the prevailing tree over large tracts 

 of country, furnishing fuel to the neighbouring towns. 

 It is stated that in Paris the bakers' ovens are almost 

 entirely heated with the wood of this tree, under the 

 name of " le -bois blanc." In Germany it is one of 

 the light woods which are extensively employed in 

 the manufacture of children's toys. 



It is said that the ancients consecrated this tree to 

 "time," because the leaves are in constant agitation, 

 and, being of a blackish green on one side and white 

 on the other, they were supposed to indicate the 

 alternation of day and night, 



11 The poplar, that with silver lines his leaf." 



The BiRCH 1 is a native tree, and even now forms 

 considerable forests in Scotland, yet it never attains 

 any great size. This is one of the most graceful of 

 trees from its slender delicate twigs, and drooping 

 tendency of the branches, especially in some of its 

 varieties. The leaves are small, somewhat triangular 

 in shape, with the lower angles rounded, and the 

 margin irregularly toothed. The chief position which 



1 Betida alba. 

 D 



