COMMUNICATIONS. 243 



45. Populus tremuloides^ of Afichaux, — American Aspen. 



This tree is small and more curious than useful ; the curiosity 

 about it consisting in the constant tremulous motion of the 

 leaves, which are set on slender, flattish petioles, so as to be 

 moved bj the gentlest breath of wind — as some rascally poet 

 says, 



like women's tongue* 



Which seldom cea^e wagging ! " 



The soft light wood of the Aspen has too little strength to be 

 of any utility. The tree is usually found bordering the wood- 

 lands and in small patches along the margin of the prairies. It 

 is quite an abundant tree in Wisconsin, never however attaining 

 any considerable size. The wood may be used as fuel where 

 no better can be obtained, and the ashes are said to afford an 

 unusual quantity of potash. 



46. Populus grandidentati, of Mkhaux. — Large Toothed Poplar. 



This Poplar takes its name from the coarseness of the teeth of 

 the large roundish ovate leaves, by which it is readily distin- 

 ofuished from the last. It grows in the same localities and is 

 often confounded with it by careless observers ; but the slightest 

 comparison of the leaves will show the difference between the 

 two. Like that, its wood is light, soft, and easily broken. It is 

 used for fuel, but is of inferior quality ; when dry it burns rapid- 

 ly, but affords little heat. This species of Poplar attains the 

 greatest size — and is used for rails, timber, etc It is said to be 

 mora durable than the other kinds of Poplar. 



47. Populus angulata, of Alton. — Angled Cotton- Wood. 



This is the common Cottonwood of the Mississippi river and 

 its tributaries, but as this name has been applied to other sorts of 

 Poplar, it loses its distinctive signification. The cottony down 

 accompanies the seed of all the Poplars, but perhaps more abun- 

 dantly in this than the others^. The seeds are very numerous, 

 and are floated down the rivers, mixing with the sediment that 



