492 
short styles. S. cinerea shows itself in the reduced pubescence 
of the leaves and the dark brown copiously pubescent, one 
year old shoots. The striations under the bark are copious, 
as is frequently the case in the hybrid. — J. Fraser. 
Salix repens Linn. [Ref. Z 40]. With matted hairs on 
upper surface of leaves. Hybrid ? Moist ground in sand- 
dunes, Hardelot Plage, Pas de Calais, France, May 31, 1928. 
— J. E. Lousley. It is Salix repens Linn. f. parvifolia Sm. 
It is the most silky form of the plant I have seen, but the 
forms of 5. repens vary in this respect, according to situation 
and environment, such as dry and exposed conditions. Form 
parvifolia is most nearly allied to f. ascendens Sm. (not to 
the type), being shorter and elliptic. The silky white hairs 
are too sleek, straight and glossy for a hybrid. — J. Fraser. 
Populus balsamifera L. (The Balsam Poplar). By stream, 
Derriaghy, near Belfast, Co. Antrim, v.c. 39 I., Aug. 26, 
1928. A remarkable looking tree, unlike a Poplar in appear- 
ance. It was growing in a wild locality and the tree was 
certainly old, with the trunk much arched and bent. The 
narrow non-cordate leaves of the young branches agree with 
the description of f. P. balsamifera, but the numerous leaves on 
the lower branches decrease in size and shape, and do not 
suggest a Poplar but rather those of a Prunus, as though the 
two had been grafted. — Ida M. Roper. I agree. It is a 
native of N. America where it is widely distributed and 
plentiful ; said to be introduced in 1692. It may readily 
be recognised by its ovate, acuminate leaves, whitish beneath 
and much netted there. Buds covered by a viscid, very 
fragrant gum, which scent the air for some distance away, 
and for some weeks while the leaves are being developed in 
spring. It is the Balsam Poplar or Tacamahac Tree. — J. 
Fraser. No doubt of cultivated origin. The authority 
should be Duroi and not Linnaeus who according to Rehder 
(Man. Cult. Trees, p. 92) gave the name balsamifera to quite 
a different tree, viz. the N. American Cottonwood (P. moni- 
lifera Aiton). — A. B. Jackson. 
Stratiotes Aloides L. Burgh St. Margaret, Norfolk, July 3 
and 12, 1928. — R. J. Burdon. 
Polygonatum officinale All. [Ref. Z 24]. Hardelot Plage, 
Pas de Calais, France, May 21, 1928. The calcium carbonate 
which favours the growth of this plant doubtless came from 
