CTUP. XI.] SALICACE^. 183 



base. The fenicale flower has a similar bract or 

 scale, and it is also without either petals or calyx; 

 there are two stigmas, each of which is some- 

 times two-lobed. The capsule has only one 

 cell, but many seeds which are covered with 

 down or longish hairs, and which are very 

 conspicuous from the capsule opening naturally 

 into two valves when ripe. The leaves of the 

 Osiers and Willows are generally lanceolate, 

 and serrated at the margin, and they are 

 always furnished with stipules ; but the leaves 

 of the Sallows are generally much broader, and 

 sometimes roundish ; and they are always of a 

 tliick velvety texture. Though the number of 

 the stamens varies in the different species, two 

 are by far the most common. 



Fig. 81 shows the female flower of 

 Salix fragilis at «, b is the honey gland, 

 c the stigma, which is divided into four 

 equal parts, and d the bract or scale 

 with its hairy fringe ; e is the male 

 flower with its two stamens, two glands, 

 and hairy scale. This species is a tall, 

 bushy-headed tree, with the branches 

 crossing each other frequently, being 

 set on obliquely ; and it is called ^ , ^ 



^ ^ Fig. 81.— The 



the Crack Willow, from the young willow 



branches separating from the trunk in 



spring with the slightest blow or jerk, their 



