LEAF AND BRANCH 
261 
is somewhat stiff in its branches, but it hardly 
knows such a thing as rest in its leaves. The 
slightest breeze starts them trembling. The 
Normandy poplars are forever fluttering and 
twittering, even in calm weather. The gent- 
lest breath of wind will turn up the silver 
of their foliage, and a row of them along 
a road will glitter and flash light at times like 
the glass pendants of a chandelier. Strange 
flashings of light and color are also shown at 
times by the beech, particularly the copper- 
beech, and it, too, sways easily ; but not so the 
large-leafed trees like the walnut and the oak. 
They make much noise, but move less in their 
branches than the thin, narrow-leafed growths. 
The leafy trees in groves or forests, when 
agitated by winds, have a sound like that of a 
distant waterfall or fast-driven rain, and any- 
one who has stood on a mountain-top and heard 
a storm coming down the valley knows wherein 
“the roar of the storm” consists. It is the 
roar of foliage struck by wind and rain. All 
the sounds from trees seem to be more subdued 
at night than at any other time. The night 
winds that stir the leaves and set the whole 
wood whispering, are gentle breezes, and possi- 
bly because of their gentleness they are great 
Leaves in 
motion. 
Trees in 
storm, 
