SALICACEA. 671 
minute, numerous, with long silky hairs (fig. 756) springing from 
a funicle and covering the seed, exalbuminous; embryo erect, 
with an inferior radicle. 
Distribution and Numbers. — Chiefly natives of cold and 
temperate climates. Illustrative Genera: —Salix, Tourn.; 
Populus, Tourn. These are the only 
genera; there are about 250 species. Fic. 1041. Fia. 1042. 
Properties and Uses.—Many species 
are either valuable for their timber, or 
for basket-work and other economic 
purposes. The bark commonly pos- 
sesses tonic, astringent, and febrifugal 
properties. The hairs which invest the 
seeds have been employed for stuffing 
cushions, and for other purposes. The 
buds of some species secrete an oleo- 
resinous substance of a stimulating 
nature. 
Populus, Poplar.—Several species have been 
used for their timber. The bark is commonly 
tonic, astringent, and febritugal, owing to the Fig. 1041, Male flower of a 
presence of saliciu, which is official in the British species of Willow (Salix), 
Pharmacopeeia. (See Salix.) with two stamens, and a 
Saliz—Several species are used for timber, cal Mat at Be eae 
and for basket-work ; and also for the manu- PPT Loner ta epee 
facture of charcoal. The timber is white; but hase, and a solitary stalked 
is wanting in strength and durability. Osiers ovary and style surmounted 
and Sallows are the shoots from pollard stumps by two stigmas. 
of different species, as S. viminalis, 8. vitellina, 
&e. <A peculiar neutral principle, a glucoside, resembling the alkaloid 
quinine im its medicinal properties, called salicin, has been obtained from 
the bark, leaves, or flowers of about twenty species of Salix. But the 
barks of S. Russelliana, S. alba, S. Caprea, S. fragilis, S. pentandra, and 
S. purpurea yield most of this principle. (See Populus.) As an anti- 
periodic, salicin is far inferior to quinine. Lately, however, salicin has 
been given successfully in acute rheumatism. Salicylic acid, which may 
be obtained from willow bark, and other vegetable substances, but is 
now commonly prepared from carbolic acid, has recently, together with 
its salts, but more especially salicylate of soda, been extensively and suc- 
cessfully used in rheumatism. Salicylic acid has also been employed 
with success as an antiseptic, and in various other ways. Both salicin 
and salicylic acid are official in the British Pharmacopeeia. The de- 
eoction of willow bark has likewise been found beneficial as an application 
to foul and indolent ulcers, and in psoriasis and some other chronic skin 
affections. 
Cohort 6. Euphorbiales.—Flowers usually unisexual, or very 
rarely hermaphrodite, either with a calyx only, or with both 
a calyx and corolla, or achlamydeous. Ovary superior, 
1—many-celled, usually 2-celled; ovules almost always 
suspended, 1—many in each cell, anatropous. Fruit gene- 
rally capsular, 1—many-celled. Seeds 1—many in each 
cell. Seeds albuminous, or very rarely exalbuminous, sus- 
pended, or very rarely ascending ; embryo straight. 
