230 ARBOR DAY 



strain of music liriodendron tulipfera) on the 

 tulip-tree, the aspen, and on all native poplars, 

 the leaves are apparently Anglo-Saxon or Germanic, 

 having an intense individualism. Each one moves 

 to suit itself. Under the same wind one is trilling 

 up and down, another is whirling, another slowly 

 vibrating right and left, and others still, quieting 

 themselves to sleep, as a mother gently pats her 

 slumbering child; and each one intent upon a 

 motion of its own. Sometimes other trees have 

 single frisky leaves, but, usually, the oaks, maples 

 beeches, have community of motion. They are all 

 acting together, or all are alike still. 



What is sweeter than a murmur of leaves, unless 

 it be the musical gurgling of water that runs secretly 

 and cuts under the roots of these trees, and makes 

 little bubbling pools that laugh to see the drops 

 stumble over the root and plump down into its 

 bosom! In such nooks could trout lie. Unless ye 

 would become mermaids, keep far from such places, 

 all innocent grasshoppers, and all ebony crickets! 

 Do not believe in appearances. You peer over 

 and know an enemy lurks in that fairy pool. 

 You can see every nook and corner of it, and it is 

 as sweet a bathing-pool as ever was swam by long- 

 legged grasshoppers. Over the root comes a butter- 

 fly with both sails a little drabbled, and quicker 

 than light he is plucked down, leaving three or 

 four bubbles behind him, fit emblems of a butter- 



