164 CONVERSATIONS ON THE 



terested about the different kinds of poplar- 

 tree, and indeed they have not much to re- 

 commend them." 



" No indeed, Uncle Philip ; we like much 

 better to hear about trees that are useful, like 

 the oaks and the sugar maple, or curious like 

 the holly, or beautiful like the magnolia." 



"Well, we shall soon come to some that you 

 will like better ; some that bear nuts, and 

 them I know you are fond of. But, first of 

 all, I have two to describe to you that are 

 somewhat remarkable. Here is a picture of 

 one of them. Have you ever seen such a 

 tree ?" 



"Why, Uncle Philip, that does not look like 

 a tree ; it looks more like a high post set in 

 the ground, with a few bunches of curious 

 leaves fastened on the top.* Does it grow 

 that way, sir ?" 



" Indeed it does ; the name of it is the cab- 

 bage-tree ; and this name is given to it be- 

 cause a part of the leaf is eaten with oil and 

 vinegar, like a salad, when it is young, and 

 it tastes very much like an uncooked cab- 

 bage." 



* See Vignette on the title page. 



