58 TREES 



The last group at which I propose to look 

 is the Poplars. They are near relations of 

 the willows. The White Poplar (Populus alba), 

 Plate II., Fig. 10, is prized for its rapid 

 growth. Its wood is soft, but tough. Its 

 leaves are dark green ahove, and white 

 beneath, whence the name is taken. 



The Black Poplar (Populus nigra), Plate II., 

 Fig. 11, has its leaves pale green with 

 yellowish stalks, and no white down on the 

 under side. They are very late in appearing, 

 and before they come forth the branches 

 are covered with the male catkins, which 

 resemble large, red caterpillars. The seeds 

 are enveloped in white cotton. 



The Aspen (Populus tremula), Plate II., 

 Fig. 12, has dark, glossy green leaves, paler, 

 but not white beneath, and so delicately 

 poised that they quiver in the slightest breeze. 

 Hence when we wish to express the idea that 

 a man is in a state of extreme nervousness 

 we say, ' he trembles like an aspen. ' 



The Lombardy Poplar (Populus fastigiata) 

 cannot be mistaken for any other tree, on 

 account of its upright growth, which resembles 

 that of a gigantic yew. The branches, instead 



