DIOECIA—DIANDRIA. Salix. 2^9 



the length of the germen. Siigwas above half the length of the 

 style, linear, acute, spreading slightly, undivided in our plant, 

 as Ehrhart, like Hoffmann, describes them, though in his own 

 published dried specimen they are cloven to the base. 



The value of the Common Osier, for various kinds of basket-work, 

 is universally known, lliere is a variety much esteemed, called 

 the \'elvct Osier, in which no external difference is discernible, 

 but the twigs are said to be more pliant. There are also various 

 species, as well as varieties, comprehended under the name of 

 Osiers, some of which, having smooth leaves, are described in 

 the earlier part of our Hist section. Others, generally of much 

 less use, will presently follow ; or if not British, are described, 

 by the writer of this, in Rees's CyclopcccUa. 



Osiers differ from Sallows in their long, straight, flexible, and 

 mostly tough, twigs 3 their generally sessile ^ermews, and elon- 

 gated styles and stigmas. 



Haller refers to our viminalis, the S.fragU'is of Caspar Bauhin's 

 Prodr. 159, the description of which, as to its qualities, is 

 equally unsuitable with the name. S. folio longissimo aiigustis- 

 simo, utrinque albido, Bauh. Pin. 474, cited byEhrhart, as well 

 as by Linnseus, appears to be correct. 



62. S. Smithiana. Silky-leaved Osier. 



Leaves lanceolate, pointed, slightly wavy, minutely toothed; 

 soft and scarce visibly clowny above ; whitish and silky 

 beneath. Stipulas crescent-shaped, minute. Catkins 

 ovate. Germen stalked. Style shorter than the linear, 

 deeply divided, stigmas. 



S. Smithiana. Wilhl. Enum. 1008. 



S. mollissima. Fl. Br. 1 070 ■ eirl. the syn. Engl. Bat. v.2\.t.] j09. 

 Kees's CycL n. 13r>. 



In meadows and osier-grounds. 



About Bury, chiefly amongst Osiers. Mr. Crowe. 1801. Near 

 Pennard castle, Glamorganshire. i\Ir. I). Turner. 1803. 



Shrub. April, May. 



Branches erect, wand-like, round, long, slender, reddish, leafy, 

 smootii ; finely downy and soft when young ; l)rittle and unfit 

 for basket-work. Leaves on shortish downy /bo/.s7rt/A,y, lanceolate, 

 3 or 1 inches long, tai)ering to a point 3 the margin wavv, or 

 .slightly crenale, witli minute tectii here Jind there, esjiccially 

 towards the point ■ the up()cr side green, delicately soft to the 

 touch witii extremely minute, almost invisible, dose, silky down ; 

 under ))ale, whitisli, densely silky, and likewise |)eeuliariv soft; 

 the midrib and .slender veins reddish, fatherless downv. Slifiulas 

 very small, at firsi lanceolate, a little toothed, haiVvj subse- 

 quently crescent-shaped. Catkins before the leaves, numerous. 



