30 AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 
and writers as in the case of P. alba. Of earlier accounts of the 
tree, the following appears to describe it with certainty: 
Populus Lybica. The Aspen Tree. 
3. The third kinde of Popular is also a great tree: the barke and 
substance of the wood 1s somewhat like that of the former [P. nigra]: 
this tree 1s garnished by many brittle and tender branches, set full of 
leaves, in a manner round, much blacker and harder than the blacke 
Poplar, hanging upon long and slender stems, which are for the most 
part stull wauering, and make a great noise being beaten one to another, 
yea though the weather be calme, and scarce any winde blowing; 
itis known by the name of the Aspen tree: the roots hereof are 
stronger and grow deeper into the ground than those of the white Poplar. 
(Gerard, Herbal 1486, f. 3. 1636). 
A similar account of it is given by Parkinson (Theatr. 1411, 
fig., 1640). This author has the following in addition to Gerard’s 
account: “‘the catkins thereof are longer and of a brownish ash colour, 
which continue a while and then fall away with the seede in it; the 
wood 1s white but nothing so tough. This tree saith Pliny hath the 
best Mushromes growing under it.” 
The synonymy of Populus tremula as far as we have been able 
to ascertain is: 
Populus Libyca Plini Hist. Dodon. Stirp. Hist. 824, f., 1583. 
Dalech. Hist. 1:,87, £., 1587...Matt. Com. Dicsesgses 
£.,,1598: Weinm. Tconogr..137, t. (827, 1a. aga: 
Populus tremula Johnst. Dendr. 437, t. 123. 1662. L. Sp. 
Pl. (1034, -1753:, Duham.. Tratte’ des ‘Arb: 2749neaner 
53, 1804. Willd. Sp. Pl. 4. pt. 2. 803, 1806. Reichenb. 
Icon: Fl. Germ. 11: 30, t,) 618; 1849. -Wesni, ame: 
Prodt, 16: pt. 2; 325,) £S68: 
Populus foliis subrotundis dentato-angulato, utrinque glabros, 
i, Hort. Citi 4G6o;, 1737. 
Populus folus glabris orbiculatis, laxe serratis. Haller, Stirp. 
2) 303,01 Oo. 
Populus australis Ten. Syll. Fl. Neap. 482; fide Wesmael. 
The description given by Kunth (Fl. Berol. 2: 219, 1838), 
being both brief and exact is given below: 
“Foltis subrotundis, sinuato-dentatis, utrinque ramulisque 
glabris, in ramulis radicalibus plantisque junioribus hirtis; squamis 
amentt palmato-laceratis, dense villoso-ciliatis.’’ ‘‘ Petioli elongatt, 
