POPLAE. 243 



on the other, are occasioned by an insect called Aphis 

 bursarm, which inhabits these angular dwellings. 



The black poplar attains a considerable size on the banks 

 of the ancient Eridanus, and there perpetually distils its 

 amber tears. Hence has this tree been identified with the 

 hapless Heliades, who, while inconsolable for the loss of 

 their brother Phaeton, were, as poets tell, metamorphosed 

 into trees ; but of what kind, the poet has not thought fit- 

 to mention, though most probably the black poplar, which 

 reflects its stately image in the classic waters of the Po, 

 and derives its cognomen from that country. 



Those who stand beside a running stream in autumn, 

 where grow black poplars, may observe, when a random 

 wind is hurrying in and out among the branches and 

 scattering the seeds in all directions, how wonderfully 

 each seed is adapted for dispersion, either through the 

 air or on water. The wind, in its autumn ministry, 

 readily propels it, by means of a spherical body, resembling 

 a small bullet, and having a long tail affixed, from the 



ft 2 



