I 8ALICACKAE 281 



pistillate plant has yet been seen, either here, or in Europe. A 

 singular variety (annularis, or Ring-leaved Willow), with small 

 curled leaves, has been introduced within a few years. Several of 

 the Willows afford good material for Basket-work; but the species 

 most highly prized, for its pliable twigs, is the Common Osier (Salix 

 vimindlis, L.), which is said to be well worthy of culture, as a 

 profitable business. I think I have not yet seen that species in our 

 County ; though its introduction would probably pay, at this time, 

 better than Morus multicaulis. 



382. POP'UL,US, Tournef. 



[Latin, Populus, the people; being used to shade the People's, or public, walks.] 

 Aments with the bracts laciniately incised at apex. Calyx a sub- 

 turbinate cup-shaped disk, the border obliquely lengthened in, 

 front, entire, surrounding the stamens, or pistil. Stamens 8 to 12, 

 or more; filaments distinct. Stigmas large, 2- or 3-lobed. Trees: 

 branches more or less angular, often stoutish ; bud-scales numerous, 

 imbricated, coated with resinous varnish ; leaves often broad, sub- 

 cordate or ovate, on long laterally compressed petioles ; aments pre- 

 ceding the leaves, -the bracts and calyx similar in both kinds. 



1. P. tremulQides, MX. Leaves cordate-orbicular, abruptly 

 acuminate, denticulate ; bracts deeply 3- or 4-lobed ; lobes linear. 

 TREMULA-LIKE POPULUS. American Aspen. 



Stem 30 to 60 feet high, (tall and slender, when crowded, shorter and round- 

 topped, when single), with a smoothish cinereous bark. Leaves about 2 inches in 

 length (on young plants, much larger), and rather wider than long ; petioles 2 to 3 

 inches long, slender, laterally much compressed (or vertically dilated) near the 

 leaf, which compression subjects the leaf to a tremulous motion from the slightest 

 breeze. Pistillate aments 3 to 4 or 5 inches in length. Bracts deeply incised, and 

 fringed with long grey hairs. Stigmas dark purple. 

 Bab. Low grounds ; Brandy wine : not common. Fl. April. Fr. May. 



Obs. This is sometimes cultivated, as an ornamental shade-tree; 

 and its bark is a popular tonic. The Quaking Aspen, of Europe (P. 

 tremula, X.)-^which ours resembles is scarcely known, here. 



2. P. grandidentata, MX. Leaves roundish-ovate, acute, 

 coarsely sinuate-dentate; bracts dentate, or 5- or 6-lobed; lobes 

 small, unequal. 



LARGE-TOOTHED POPULUS. 



Stem 30 to 50 feet high, when growing singly, tUe top rather large and round- 

 ish ; bark smooth, greenish-gray. Leaves 3 to 4 or 5 inches long, and about as 

 wide as long ; petioles 2 to 3 inches in length. Pistillate aments 2 to 3 inches long. 

 Bracts slightly fringed, or somewhat coarsely dentate. 

 Sab. Moist woodlands: becoming rare. FL April. Fr. May. 



3. P. lieteropliyl'la, L. Leaves roundish-oblong, or deltoid- 

 ovate, obtuse, uncinately serrate, often auriculately subcordate at 

 base with the sinus small, densely and softly tomentose while young. 

 VARIOUS-LEAVED POPULUS. 



Stem 30 to 50 feet high, with a greyish-brown bark. Leaves 3 to 6 or 8 inches 

 long, and 2 to 6 inches wide; petioles 2 to 4 or 5 inches in length, at first densely 

 clothed, like the leaves, with a soft cinereous (or often slightly tawny) tomentum. 

 Hob. Moist woods; E. Marlborough: rare. Fl. April. Fr. 



