Transactions. 97 



the first hybrid Purpurea is shown by the monandrous flowei-s ; 

 Phylicifolia by the style of the carpels and nature of the leaves ; 

 and Aurita by the shape of the leaves and pubescence, &c. It is, 

 therefore, a ternary hybrid, and I believe possibly the first Dr 

 White has made out for a certainty in Britain. He has named 

 it " Sesquitertia." I was much interested to find that within 

 thirty yards of this willow, others grew having an identical 

 character, which suggests the possibility of its being self 

 sown. This I should like to ascertain. I went a few days ago 

 for the purpose of photographing this willow in flower, but was 

 disappointed to find it had been cut down — a not unfrequent 

 experience I have had witli willows. Fortunately I had taken 

 cuttings from it, which is always advisable to do in case of 

 rarities. Another extremely interesting willow from the Nith 

 was found to be a hybrid between Pentandra and alba, viz.^ 

 Hexandra. I was struck with its appearance at the time of 

 gathering as being probably a hybrid of Pentandra. It was a 

 tree about thirty feet high, growing on the bank of the river 

 about a mile below New Cumnock, and growing amongst abund- 

 ance of Pentandra bushes. The leaves in the young state 

 resembled the peculiar green hue of the Pentandra, a resemblance, 

 however, which decreased as the leaves matured. Hexandra is a 

 rare hybrid, being only known in one or at most two places in 

 Scotland. A number of other hybrids were gathered, of which 

 more particularly worthy of mention are Laurina, Decipiens, 

 Undulata, and Coriacea. The most common willow to occur in 

 Mid-Nithsdale in marshy places and river sides appears to be 

 Lutescens. A series of forms of this willow, which is also a 

 hybrid, were collected and examined. Already this .spring I have 

 found some very interesting and curious willows. I have had 

 the privilege of some notes from Dr White, who has examined 

 them in a fresh state. He is of opinion our district is extremely 

 rich in Purpurea hybrids. I feel that I have only as yet 

 touched the margin of our local willows, and a district is not 

 considered done botanically until each bush is examined. 



Preliminary List of Willows in Nithsdale Classified according to 



Dr Whitens " Revision." 



Salix. 



X Decipiens (S. triandra x fragilis) — One bush on the Nith, near 



Waterside, Morton Parish (apparently wild). 



13 



