THE TREMBLING POPLAR, or ASPEN. 



PoPULUS TREMULA. 



The Aspen is described by Pliny under the 

 name of Libyan Poplar, and is said to have a very 

 small dark leaf, in great repute for its galls. It 

 is a native of a very extensive range of country, 

 being found throughout the whole of the south 

 of Europe, Asia Minor, and in Lapland to the 

 Frozen Ocean. It prefers wet soils, but is by 

 no means confined to the Low countries ; for in 

 Scotland it flourishes at an elevation of 1600 feet 

 above the level of the sea. It derives its English 

 name, Aspen, from the German name of the tree, 

 Espe, and may readily be distinguished from the 

 other British species by its round leaves, which 

 are of a dark shining green above, and much paler 

 beneath, though destitute of the downy covering 

 which characterizes the White Poplar. The 

 leaf-stalk is remarkably long and slender, and 

 being compressed vertically towards its upper 

 extremity, is too weak to support the leaf in a 

 horizontal position. Consequently, the lightest 

 breeze sets it in motion, and hence originated its 

 name. Trembling Poplar. 



This peculiarity has obtained for the Aspen 

 the unenviable distinction of being selected as 

 the poetical emblem of restlessness, inconstancy, 

 and fear. 



