222 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Tree or shrub. Sjiring. 



The typical form (var. a) of this, which is doubtless a hybrid 

 between S. purpurea and S. viniinalis, is a shrulj or small tree, gene- 

 rally not more than G feet high, with long upright smooth pur[)lish 

 branches. Leaves resembling those of the common osier in shape, 

 but differinn: m beinf]^ brio;ht ^reen and at length glabrous on both 

 sides. Barren catkins 1 to 1 ^- inch long, without leaves at the base, 

 but with a few pilose bracts. Female catkins |- to 1 inch long, with 

 several leaves at the base; the scales on both catkins with a black 

 apex, as in S. purpurea. Stamens with the filaments united at the 

 base, but free for the greater part of their length. Anthers at length 

 dull lead-coloured. Ovary more attenuated upwards than in S. pur- 

 purea, with a much longer style, and Avitli longer, narrower, and more 

 recurved stigmas. 



Var. i3 differs in its much broader leaves, which are 2 to 4 inches 

 long by f to 1 inch broad. The female catkins are very like those 

 of S. purpurea, but have a longer style and longer stigmas, but the 

 leaves are much broader and less attenuated towards the base, and 

 glossy (not opaque) above; they are also more pubescent when young. 

 The male plant of var. jS is unknown, but Smith found 1 or 2 male 

 flowers at the base of the fertile catkins, and these had the filaments 

 united nearly to the apex, as in S. purpurea. 



Var. 7 is a small slender tree or large shrub, with long tough smooth 

 polished pale yellow twigs. J^eaves similar in shape to those of S. 

 purpurea, but longer and narrower. Male catkins similar to those of 

 S. 2:)urpurea, but rather larger. Female catkins with the ovary more 

 conical and terminated by a conspicuous style and long stigmas closely 

 resemblmg those of S. rubra, vars. a and ^. Catkin-scales with a 

 black apex, as in S. purpurea. 



S. Helix is a very puzzling plant, unless Mr. Borrer be correct in 

 supposing that Smith has taken a narrow-leaved male plant of S. 

 purpurea, and a female of S. rubra, var. Forbyana, and described the 

 two as the male and female of his S. Helix. If this be not so we 

 must regard it as one of the series of hybrids between S. purpurea and 

 S. viniinalis, but approaching closely to S. purpurea, witli which it 

 agrees in the male catkins; the female catkins are scarcely distin- 

 guishable from those of S. rubra, vars. a and /3. 



Var. a. Green-leaved Osier. Var. /3, Fine Basket Osier. 



Var. 7, Hose Willoio. 



French, Saule monadclplic. German, Rotlie Weide. 



This species of willow is valuable in cultivation as an osier for bands, crates, basket- 

 work or wicker-work, and even small hoops. 



In the bark of this willow isibund a larger quantity of salicin, the pectiliar active 

 principle _ of the genus, than in any other species. At one time this substance was 

 largely used in medicine before the employment of quinine. It forms a tolerable 



