THE NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS OF CARNARVONSHIRE. 497 
of shelter during the winter and spring months by the persistent 
nature of its foliage. 
63. The British Oak (Quercus Robur).—This, the most majestic 
of our indigenous trees, is no less valuable as a timber producer, 
for it is well known that the wood is possessed of a greater number 
of good qualities in conjunction than that of any other tree. In 
shipbuilding especially its strength and elasticity are applied to 
most advantage, whilst almost all arts and manufactures are 
indebted to it. Two extreme forms, but with intermediate con- 
necting varieties, are not uncommon, one, Q. Robur pedunculata, 
having sessile or shortly stalked leaves and pedunculate acorns ; 
while the other, Q. Robuz sessiliflora, has petiolate leaves, and 
nearly or quite sessile acorns. This latter form is most abundant 
in Wales, and from many years’ careful observation I am inclined 
to think from its constant character generally that it is the truly 
indigenous tree in the counties of Anglesey and Carnarvon. In 
several of the old natural Welsh forests, or remains thereof, this is 
the prevailing form, while trees of seedling origin on hill sides 
and in fields are of similar character and habit. 
64. The Bay Willow (Salix pentandra). 
65. The Crack Willow,(S. fragilis). 
66. The White Willow (S. alba). 
67. The Osier Willow (S. viminalis). 
68. The Goat Willow (S. caprea). 
69. The Round-eared Willow (S. auwrita). 
70. The Creeping Willow (S. repens). 
71. The Dwarf Willow (S. herbacea).—These eight species of 
willow, with one variety (S. aurita minor), are fairly abundant in 
most parts of the county, the first six, excepting the osier, as 
timber trees, and the remainder as shrubs that either attain to a 
few feet in height or creep along the surface, and rarely rise more 
than a few inches therefrom. The bay willow is a distinct and 
handsome species, from 12 ft. to 20 ft. in height, with broader, 
thicker, and more shining foliage than any of the others. It is, 
moreover, the latest in bloom, producing its bright yellow catkins 
after the appearance of the leaves. The white and crack willows 
attain large dimensions, the former having its leaves clothed with 
silky white hairs when young, thus giving to the foliage an ash- 
grey appearance; while that of the latter is green and usually 
glabrous. The common sallow is an extremely variable species, 
and the commonest of the genus. It is of bush size, with silky, 
