CHAPTER X 



THE CATKINS OF THE WILLOW (Salix Capna) 



There is no more familiar hedgerow ornament 

 in early spring than the blooms of the sallow — the 

 ^' palm " of the country people, who gather them 

 at Eastertide when celebrating their religious 

 festivals. Comparatively few, however, amongst 

 those who pluck these quaint floral structures, that 

 so brighten the appearance of the otherwise bare 

 branches, possess any knowledge of their meaning 

 and function. Now they gather the golden 

 "palm" and again the silver, but why some 

 blooms should be yellow, or golden, and some 

 grey, or silver, is a point that never seems to enter 

 the minds of most of those who seek the branches. 

 Nevertheless, half an hour's study of the details of 

 these blossoms will reveal some wonderfully in- 

 teresting features, and give the '^ palm " blossoms 

 quite a new charm ; even if that charm arises 

 only from the possession of the knowledge that 

 we really understand what we are gathering. 

 Therefore, assisted with pocket lens and penknife, 

 let us endeavour to read the story of these hedge- 

 row ornaments. 



In the first place we have to recognise that 

 these structures are the floral products of a species 

 of willow, and have no relation with the true palms, 



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