THE POPLAB. 321 



of foliage, and takes a rounder and handsomer shape than 

 most others. One of the defects ■which I have frequently 

 obBerved in the shape of the large poplars is a leaning of 

 the branches rather awkwardly toward the south-east, 

 caused by the prevalent north-west winds acting upon 

 branches of great proportional length, and possessing very 

 little elasticity. This inclination is observed more or less 

 in other soft-wooded deciduous trees. 



THE CANADA POPLAR. 



The Canada or Balm of Gilead Poplar is more frequent 

 by our waysides than any other species. It is a tree of 

 the first magnitude, attaining a great size in the bole as 

 well as a superior height. It is distinguished by its large 

 leaves, of a bright glossy verdure, and its long branches, 

 always subordinate to the central shaft, which may be 

 traced nearly to the summit of the tree. Before the 

 leaves begin to expand, the buds are covered with a 

 yellow glutinous -balsam, that diffuses a peculiar and 

 very penetrating but agreeable odor, unlike any other. 

 Sir John Franklin remarks that this tree constitutes " the 

 greatest part of the drift timber observefi on the shored of 

 the Arctic Sea." It has a very wide geographical range, 

 extending from Canada to the Missouri Eiver, and is in 

 many places called the Ontario Poplar. It is abimdant 

 in the northern woods, but is found in the southern parts 

 of New England only by the roadsides and in the en- 

 closures of dwelling-houses. The balsam is gathered in 

 all parts of the country as a healing anodyne, and for 

 many ailments it is a favorite remedy in domestic medi- 

 cine ; but no place has yet been assigned to it in the 

 pharmacopoeias. All the poplars produce more or less of 

 this substance. It is very different from turpentine, more 

 agreeable when perceived in the air, but pungent and dis- 

 agreeable to the taste. 



14* u 



