Poplar.
Sheer Hulk (Vol. viii., p. 126.).—This phrase is certainly correct. Sheer = mere, a hulk, and nothing else. Thus we say sheer nonsense, sheer starvation, &c.; and the song says:
"Here a sheer hulk lies poor Tom Bowling,
The darling of our crew," &c.
The etymology of sheer is plainly from shear.
B. H. C.
Poplar.
The Magnet (Vol. vi. passim).—This was used by Claudian apparently as symbolical of Venus or love:
"Mavors, sanguinea qui cuspide verberat urbes,
Et Venus, humanas quæ laxat in otia curas,