The English physitian, or An astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation being a compleat method of physick, whereby a man may preserve his body in health, or cure himself being sick for three pence charge, with such things only as grow in England ... / by Nich. Culpeper.

Description.

THere are two sorts of Poplars which are most familiar with us, Viz. The Black, and the White, both which I shall here describe unto you.

The white Poplar groweth great and reaso∣nable high, covered with a thick smooth white Bark, especially the Branches, having large Leavs cut into several devisions almost •• a Vine Leaf, but not of so deep a green on the upper side, and hoary white underneath, of a reasonable good scent, the whol form represen∣ting the Leaf of Coltsfoot. The Catkins which it bringeth forth before the Leavs, are long, and of a faint reddish colour, which fall away bearing seldom good Seed with them. The Wood hereof is smooth, soft, and white, very finely waved, whereby it is much estee∣med.

The Black Poplar groweth high •• strai∣ter than the White, with a grayish Bark bea∣ring broad and green Leaves somwhat like Ivy

Leavs not cut in on the edges like the White, but whol and dented, ending in a point, and not white underneath, hanging by slender long Footstalks, which with the Air are con∣tinually shaken like as the Aspin Leavs are: The Catkins hereof are greater than of the White, composed of many round green Berries as it were set together in a long Cluster, con∣taining much downice matter, which being ripe is blown away with the wind, The clam∣my Buds hereof before they spread into Leavs, are gathered to make the Unguentum Popu∣leon, and are of a yellowish green colour and smal, somwhat sweet, but strong. The Wood is smooth, tough, ••and white, and easie to be cloven: On both these Trees groweth a sweet kind of Musk, which in former times was used to be put into sweet Oyntments.