Brewer's: Aspen

The aspen leaf is said to tremble, from shame and horror, because our Lord's cross was made of this wood. The fact is this: the leaf is broad, and placed on a long leaf-stalk so flexible as scarcely to be able to support it in an upright position. The upper part of the stalk, on which the play mainly depends, is flattened; and, being at right angles with the leaf, is peculiarly liable to be acted on by the least breath of air.

“Those aspen leaves of theirs never leave wagging.” —SirT.More.

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