THE POPLAE. 323 



THE EIVER POPLAK. 



The Eiver Poplar is not rare in the New England 

 forest, but it is little known as an ornamental tree. 

 Emerson says : " It is much the tallest and most graceful 

 of those which grow naturally in New England. Its 

 foliage is equal to that of the Balm of Gilead in size, and 

 superior to, it in depth of color ; and the abundance of its 

 aments in. the spring, and the rich colors of its leaf-stalks 

 and young branches, when growing in somewhat dry 

 situations, make it a beautiful object." The aments of 

 this tree are not olive-colored, like those of the two aspens, 

 but inclining to red, though not so bright as those of the 

 black and Lombardy poplars. It is very justly called 

 the Eiver Poplar, being found chiefly in wet places, near 

 brooksides, on the banks of rivers, and in alluvial valleys 

 which are liable to be inundated in spring. This tree 

 displays the characteristic peculiarities of' the family in 

 giving out its lateral branches at a sharp angle and 

 subordinate to the trunk. 



