Legend tells us that the Cross was made of Aspen, one of the poplars, 

 and as is so beautifully told by Mrs. Hemans: 



"* * * since that hour 



Through all its race the pale tree hath sent down 

 A thrilling consciousness, a secret awe, 

 Making them tremulous, when not a breeze 

 Disturbs the airy thistle-down, or shakes 

 The light lines of the shining gossamer." 



The constant agitation of the foliage of the aspen by the least breath 

 of wind is due to the length and flattened form of the leaf-stalk. It has no 

 stability at the point of juncture of leaf and stalk which causes the leaves 

 to quiver constantly, no matter how faint the breeze. The rustling noise, as of 

 a purling stream, is produced by the friction of the leaves on one another. 



In England poplars are commonly planted wherever a quick screen is 

 required, a practice concerning which Evelyn says : 



"We may recommend them to such late builders as seat their 

 houses in naked and unsheltered places and that would put a guise of 

 antiquity upon any new inclosure, since by these, whilst a man is on a 

 voyage of no long continuance, his house and lands may be so covered 

 as to be hardly known on his return." 



So rapid is the growth of poplars that in some European countries a 

 plantation of these trees made on the birth of a daughter is expected to grow 

 into an ample dowry for her marriage. 



The cottonwood, the largest of the poplars, is associated in the United 

 States with the history of the Middle West. Up to a few years ago there 

 stood a giant cottonwood near Wilmette, Illinois, which was known as the 

 Black Hawk tree. Black Hawk often assembled the Indian chiefs under his 

 command around this tree, and many of his campaigns against the whites were 

 planned beneath its shade. At the time this tree was destroyed by a ma- 

 licious act it was 1 30 feet in height and measured twelve feet at the base. 



On the Capitol grounds at Topeka, Kansas, stands a cottonwood under 

 which were mustered the Twentieth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers which 

 made such a splendid record in the Philippines under General Funston. 



(98) 



