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REVISION OF THE BRITISH WTLLOWS. 431 



Although I have not been able* to examine European examples 

 of Salix spuria, I have before me a series of willows which are 

 beyond doubt hybrids between S. Lapponum and S. Arbuscula, 

 and which must therefore be called S. spuria. 



Though, as in the case of other hybrids, some specimens show 

 more affinity with one parent than with the other, the examples 

 I have seen are all tolerably intermediate in character. Judging 

 from the words of Andersson and Wimmer, and from the names 

 given to it by Serin ge and Graudin, the Continental plant seems 

 to have a greater resemblance to S. Lapponum than has the 

 British one. Andersson says that it is so similar to that species 

 that it can scarcely be distinguished, except by the shorter and 

 more compact catkins surrounded by a few leaves, but especially 

 by the much harder and more glabrous leaves finely serrated on 

 the margin. Wimmer describes it as approaching S. Lapponum 

 in the size and clothing of the leaves, and shape and length of the 

 catkins; but to S. Arbuscula in the glandular-serrate leaves, 

 which are somewhat shining above, in the narrower ferruginous 

 scales, and in the structure of the stigmas. 



The Scottish plant, on the other hand, is more likely to be 

 taken— as indeed it has been — for S. Arbuscula than for S. 

 Lapponum. In size it is nearer the former than the latter, but 

 otherwise it shows a combination of the characters of both. 

 *rom 8. Arbuscula it may be distinguished generally by the 

 duller colour of the leaves, which are more or less, but never 

 excessively, pubescent— the pubescence combiniug the silkiuess 

 of Arbuscula with the woolliness of Lapponum, by the finer and 

 m ore scanty serration of the leaf-margins, by the longer shape of 

 the capsules, louger styles, and usually narrower scales darker 

 at their tips; and from 8. Lapponum by the firmer and more 

 shining leaves, which are more nearly glabrous and have more 

 or less serrate margins, by the smaller catkins with short leafy 

 peduncles, and by the short stigmas. Tlie characters, however, 

 are more readily seen than described. 



I have seen British specimens from the Breadalbaue Moun- 

 ts. I n the former it seems to have been first gathered by Sir 

 J - D. Hooker, since in Mr. Hanbury's " Boswell Herbarium " is 



mm 



Since this was written I have received (through the kind services of Mr. A. 

 feanett) Scandinavian specimens of Lapponum X Arbuscula, which prove to be 

 1 entical with some of our Scottish examples. 



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