334 DICTIOJSTABY OF POPULAR NAMES POPPY 



attaining a heiglit of 40 to 50 feet. Its leaves are nearly 

 round, thin and smootli, alternate, and obliquely attached by a 

 slender foot-stalk, which allows them to move freely in a quiver- 

 ing manner, even when the air is still, and their rustling against 

 one another makes an audible noise, which may be heard at 

 some distance. This rustling noise is considered by Bible 

 critics to explain the words, " Wlien tliou hearest the sound of 

 a going in the tops of the mulberry trees," etc. (2 Samuel 

 V. 23, 24). As the leaves of the mulberry are stiff and rigid, 

 and do not rustle against one another like those of the Poplar, 

 and also as there is no evidence to show that mulberry trees 

 grew m Palestine in the time of Samuel, it is therefore con- 

 sidered that the Hebrew word (becaim) should have been 

 translated Poplar, not mulberry. 



P. fastigiata, the Lombardy Poplar, is an erect-branched 

 tree of a pyramidal form, attaining a height of 50 to 100 feet. 

 It abounds in Italy, but is believed to be a native of Northern 

 and Western Asia ; in this country it is planted as an orna- 

 mental tree, but is often injured by the frost of severe winters. 

 Some years ago some fine trees were to be seen about London ; 

 their places are now occupied by buildings. P. lahamifcra, 

 native of North America, is called Tacamahac Poplar, and in 

 this country Balsam Poplar; it attains a height of 40 to 50 

 or more feet ; the buds and young shoots are viscous, the whole 

 of the tree possessing a fine balsamic odour. P. monilifera is 

 said to be a native of North America, but its habitat is uncertain ; 

 recorded to be introduced into this country in 1772. It is said 

 to attain a great height, even to 100 feet. It is common in 

 Italy, which has led to its receiving the name of Black Italian 

 Poplar. 



Poppy, Eed, or Corn {Papaver Elimas), one of our most 

 beautiful British annuals ; it must nevertheless be viewed as a 

 troublesome weed. It is a great ornament to our cornfields, 

 often making them appear while in flower one blaze of red. A 

 syrup is prepared from the petals used in medicine, and a colour- 

 ing matter used m the preparation of red ink. 



