56 THE WOODLANDS. 



called the mealy tree (Mehlbaum\ from the mealy 

 appearance of the under-side of the leaves. The 

 fruit is small, and rather acid, but not disagreeable 

 when bletted, or in a state of incipient decay, as 

 medlars are eaten. It is not usually eaten by man, 

 but is much relished by birds, squirrels, &c. The 

 beer formerly made from it by fermentation, or the 

 distilled spirit, does not seem to be now known. 



The ASPEN 1 is as often found in hedgerows as in 

 woods, but chiefly in damp situations. The leaves 

 are suspended on long flattened stalks, so that 



" When zephyrs wake 

 The aspen's trembling leaves must shake." 



One of the most curious superstitions respecting this 

 tree is that referred by Loudon to the Highlanders, 

 who believe that the cross of Christ was made of it, 

 and that, consequently, it can never rest. Old Gerarde 

 in his quaint manner compares the leaves to women's 

 tongues, for they " seldom cease wagging." Of course 

 women have their revenge, and do not consider 

 Gerarde's book as worthy to be read. Even Sir 

 Walter Scott sinned in the same direction when he 

 wrote 



' Oh, woman ! in our hours of ease 



Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, 



And variable as the shade 



By the light quivering aspen made." 



The ALDER 3 is found in low swampy woods all over 

 Europe. In such situations it sometimes becomes 



1 Popuhis tremuta. 2 Alnus glutinosa. 



