IREES OF AMERICA. 203 



as many as four inches long, and two broad, 

 whereas, you know, the leaves of all the other 

 kinds are very narrow and slender. Baskets 

 are sometimes made of the branches of this 

 kind, but they are not as good as the branches 

 of the European willow." 



" After all, then. Uncle Philip, it seems to 

 me that the willow is not a very useful tree." 



" No ; but it grows fast, and is so hand- 

 some, particularly the weeping willow, with 

 its long, slender, drooping branches waving 

 about in the wind, that it is a great favourite 

 with everybody. And now, my dears, I think 

 we have had trees enough for to-day ; the 

 next time you come I will tell you about the 

 elms and three or four other trees : after that, 

 we shall have nothing left but the different 

 kinds of pine and cedar, a very large family : 

 and when we have finished them we shall 

 have done with the trees of the United 

 States." 



" Uncle Philip, before we go will you have 

 the goodness to tell me one thing ? I have 

 often seen weeping willows carved upon tombs 

 and grave-stones ; why is that done, do you 

 know, sir ?" 



" It is for the same reason that the name 



