182 SALICACE^. [part i. 



on different plants, both in upright cyHndrical 

 catkins. 



THE GENUS SALIX. 



The genus SaHx (the Willow) contains per- 

 haps more species than any other, above two 

 hundred and fifty having been named and de- 

 scribed, besides innumerable varieties. The plants 

 included in the genus may, however, be all 

 divided into three kinds — viz. the true Willows, 

 which have thin green leaves, and which include 

 all the tree species, most of which have brittle 

 branches ; the Osiers, the leaves of which re- 

 semble those of the Willows, but which are low 

 shrubs with very tough branches ; and the 

 Sallows, the leaves of which are thick and woolly 

 or shaggy. The Osiers and the true Willows 

 are often confounded together; particularly when 

 the former take, as they sometimes do, a tree- 

 like character ; but the Sallows are always per- 

 fectly distinct. The rods of the Osiers are used 

 in basket-making. 



All the species of the genus have their male 

 and female flowers on different plants, both 

 kinds of flowers being placed on short catkins 

 which are either erect or spreading sideways. 

 The male flowers have each from one to five or 

 more stamens, with no petals or calyx, but as a 

 substitute a bract or scale, which is entire and 

 hairy, and which has one or more glands at its 



