FOREIGN POPLARS. 



Although the trees belonging to this genus 

 which have been described are undoubtedly in- 

 digenous to the soil, the most familiar of all to 

 English readers, and that which is most likely to 

 recur to their minds when the Poplar" is named, 

 is the tall, gaunt, fomial, Lombardy Poplar (Po- 

 pulus fastigiata)). It is said to be not a native of 

 Europe, but to have been introduced into Pavia 

 from Asia about the year 1590, which would 

 account for the fact that the accurate observer 

 Pliny, who describes the other species, does not 

 mention this. It was introduced into England 

 about the middle of the last century, and some of 

 the original trees stood until within the last ten 

 or twelve years, having attained a height of more 

 than 100 feet. It is a very fast grower, in- 

 creasing, when favourably situated, at the un- 

 usually rapid rate of five feet in a year, or even 

 more. Some Poplars on the banks of the Seine, 

 near Rouen, had, in 1837, reached the surprising 

 height of 150 feet, having been then planted 

 about thirty -four years. 



When Gilpin wrote, the Lombardy Poplar had 

 not long been introduced ; he mentions it, how- 

 ever, and points out a peculiarity which it possesses, 

 of being swayed to and fro throughout its whole 

 length by the action of the wind. Most trees," 



