Tall trees grew all around; and you could tell from their leaves that these trees were of different kinds.

You might have told that from their trunks as well, for these were unlike each other.

Some were smooth, while upon others the bark was cracked, and crisped outward in large scales a foot or more in length.

The beautiful tulip-tree (_liriodendron_) was easily distinguished by its straight column-like trunks, out of which are sawed those great planks of _white poplar_ you may have seen, for that is the name by which it is known among carpenters and builders.

The name of _tulip-tree_ comes from its flowers, which in size and shape very much resemble tulips, and are of a greenish-yellow colour tinged with orange.