168 AMENTACE^ 



its forms, a twiggy bush. A very large number of plants now included 

 under the same name were formerly considered distinct species ; they differ 

 in the form and relative length of the stigma and style, in the degree of 

 silkiness of the ovaries, and in the exact shape of the leaves. They have 

 been termed S. radicans, S. davallidna, S. weigelidna, S. amcena, S. nitens, 

 S. crowedna, S. dicksdnia, S. laxifldra, S. tetrdpla, S. borreridna, and »S'. phyUyrei- 

 folia. They grow chiefly in valleys in mountainous districts, attaining in 

 some cases, as in the variety which has been termed S. borreridna, the height 

 of ten feet ; but in general they are quite low shrubs. The leaves vary in 

 length and outline, not only in the different varieties, but they are said, by 

 the authoL's of the "British Flora," to vary even on the same bush. The 

 catkins appear in April and May. 



Group XII. Vacciniifoli^. — Bo7r. 



Stamens 2 ; ovaries densely downy, nearly sessile ; style as long as the 

 stigma ; catkins compact, appeari)ig with the leaves, terminal or on short 

 few-leaved lateral shoots ; leaves more or less veiny above ; stipules none or 

 minute. Small, erect, or spreadirig, rarely prostrate shrubs , stems above 

 ground. 



32. Small Tree Willow (*S'. arbuscida). — Leaves lanceolate-egg-shaped, 

 or broadly or roundish egg-shaped, finely serrated. In one variety opaque 

 above, and of a sea-green hue beneath ; in another, prominently veined above, 

 green, but scarcely shining on both sides. The forms included in this 

 description are those which have been termed by various writers S. myrsinites, 

 S. vacciniifulia, S. venidosa, 8. carindta, and *S'. prunifulia. They differ in the 

 outline, in the degree of silkiness of the leaves, and in the more erect or 

 prostrate growth of the stem. The Small Tree Willow is not infrequent on 

 Highland mountains, and is usually a very low shrub, with red or green 

 branches, more or less trailing, but sometimes erect. The leaves are often 

 folded so as to form a keel ; in other cases they are flat and narrow. The 

 catkins appear in June and July. 



Group XIII. Myrsinites. — Borr. 



Stamens 2 ; ovaries silky, stalked ; catkins appearing with the full green 

 leaves, terminal on lateral or terminal leafy shoots, soon becoming lax ; leaves 

 veiny, never glaucous beneath ; stipules egg-shaped or lanceolate. Small 

 much -branched shrub ; stems above ground. 



33. Green Whortle-leaved Willow {S. myrsinites). — Leaves waved, 

 serrated Avith very prominent veins, often hairy, at length shining ; blackish 

 when dried ; in one variety roundish or elliptical, or inversely egg-shaped ; 

 in another, smaller and somewhat heart-shaped at the base ; in another, egg- 

 shaped or oblong and acute. This description includes the variety which 

 has been described as S. arhutifdlia. This is a low shrub, occurring but rarely 

 on the Highland mountains. Its leaves are of a bright and glossy green, 

 varying both in form and size, and the short catkins apjDcar in June. The 

 whole plant is very l)lack A\heu dry. 



34. Smooth-leaved Alpine Willow [8. procuvdwns). — Leaves oval, 

 rarely acute, obscurely serrated, shining, quite smooth, not black when dried ; 



