DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 151 



of them of huge size, and all with pointed, heart-shaped 

 leaves. The tassel-like catkins, or male blossoms, of a red 

 or brownish hue, appear early in the spring. Some of the 

 American kinds, as the Balsam and Balm of Gilead poplars, 

 have their buds enveloped in a fragrant gum ; others, as 

 the Silver poplar, or Abele, are remarkable for the snowy 

 whiteness of the under side of the foliage ; and the Lom 

 bardy poplar, which 



" Shoots up its spire, and shakos its leayes in tho sun," 



Prootoe. 



for its remarkably conical or spire-like manner of growth. 

 The leaves of all the species, being suspended upon long 

 and slender footstalks, are easily put in motion by the wind. 

 This, however, is peculiarly the case with the aspen, the 

 leaves of which may often be seen trembling in the slightest 

 breeze, when the foliage of the surrounding trees is motion- 

 less. There is a popular legend in Scotland respecting 

 this tree, which runs thus : 



" Far ofl in the Highland wilds 'tis said 

 (But truth now laughs at fancy's lore), 



That of this tree the cross was made. 

 Which erst the Lord of Glory bore ; 



And of that deed its leaves confess, 

 E'er since, a troubled consciousness." 



In Landscape Gardening the poplar is not highly esteemed ; 

 but it is a valuable tree when judiciously employed, and 

 produces a given quantity of foliage and shade sooner 

 perhaps than any other. Some of the American kinds are 

 majestic and superb trees when old, particularly the Cotton- 

 wood and Balsam poplars. One of the handsomest sorts 

 is the Silver poplar. At some distance, the downy under 

 surfaces of the leaves, turned up by the wind, give it very 



