Salix — Willows and Osiers. 



Of this family there are eiminerated about 150 distinct species, man}- 

 of which again are divided into numerous varieties. Almost the 

 whole of the tribe are light, elegant, and rapid-growing trees, delight- 

 ing in wet or moist situations, and therefore peculiarly adapted to 

 the banks of rivers, ponds, and such like places. 



A considerable change is made in the appearance of the willow by 

 the difierence of soil and climate, so that it is sometimes very difti- 

 cult to ascertain the particular species. 



Those kinds which attain to the size of timber trees are valued on 

 account of their ornamental appearance and rapid growth, although 

 their wood may be comparatively Avorthless. 



The bark of some of the willows is used for tanning, and is con- 

 sidered by some to be as valuable for that purpose as that of the oak. 



The basket-making willows, or odcrs, are natives of most parts of 

 Europe, and grow in moist, marshy, or fenny districts. They grow very 

 rapidly, and if left uncut will become moderate sized trees. On the 

 banks of large rivers osier beds may be planted with great advantage ; 

 and besides the profit, they are of great use in giving consistency and 

 strength to river embankments. 



Their uses in basket-making are well known. "Willow is con- 

 sidered one of the best kinds of wood for making charcoal, and it is 

 said that the best gunpowder is that which is made from the charcoal 

 of the willoAV. 



The timber of the willow tree is applicable to many purposes 

 where lightness and toughness are desirable. JNIany of the species 

 are exceedingly tough and flexible, a most valuable property of 

 timber used in several branches of the arts and manufactures. 



The willow is also a most valuable medicinal plant. It has been 

 truly said, that if we paid better attention to our native herbs, it 

 would be much better for us in a hygienic point of view. 



It has been pretty clearly proved that the bark of some of the 

 willows is equal to the famous Jesuit's bark in the cure of fevers, 

 scorbutic humours, gangrene, &c., and the bark of Salix aiha, the 

 white or Huntingdon willow ; S. incana, the hoary willow ; S. vitcllina, 

 the yellow willow; S. fragil is, the crack willow; S. j^eiitandria, the 

 bay-leaved willow ; S. amygdalina, the almond-leaved willow ; S. 

 Eii^selliana, the Bedford willow; and ^S'. caprea, the goat willow, 



