CHAP. ciir. 



S-ALICA'CEiE. 5'A^LIX. 



1521 



bark of this tree contains the tanning principle in a superior degree to that 

 of the oak ; and it is supposed that the medical properties stated to belong 

 to S. fragilis are attributed to it by mistake, and should be referred to S. 

 Russellfana. (Hook. Brit. Flor., p. 415., with additions.) The bark, according 

 to Sir J. E. Smith, has been found useful as a substitute for cinchona in 

 agues. (E7ig. FL, vol. iv. p. 187.) This species is as readily propagated by 

 cuttings or truncheons as any other ; and, though it thrives best in good 

 soil near water, it attains a considerable size in uplands. 

 Varieties. Many forms intermediate between S. fr&gilis and S. Russelliana 

 are extant, which seem to me to be hybrids. (Koch.) It should be re- 

 membered that Koch has included in his idea of S. fr&gilis the S. decipiens 

 of the English botanists, and, perhaps, other exotic forms as dissimilar as 

 this is. 



Statistics. In the environs of London, atSyon, there is a tree of S Russelliina 89 ft. high ; the 

 diameter of the trunk 4 ft. 4 in., and of the head 65 ft. : at Ham House, there is a tree 63 ft. high; the 

 diameter of the trunk 32 ft., and of the head .59 ft. In Staffordshire, by the side of the road leading 

 from Lichfield to Stow, on the spot on which Johnson's Willow stood, a cutting of the ^d tree was 

 planted in 1830, which, in May, 1836, was 20 ft. high, and in a most vigorous state of growth. In 

 Scotland, in Stirlingshire, at Callender Park, 60 ft. high; the diameter of the trunk 3 ft.8 in., and that of 

 the head 70 ft. : a tree, at Gordon Castle, at the age of 61 years, was 57 ft. high, and above 11 ft. in 

 its greatest circumference. This tree, it is stated in the Salictum Woburnense, was blown down in a 

 storm, on the 24th of November, 1826. In Ireland, at Terenure, near Dublin, 15 years planted, it is 

 25 ft. high ; in the Cullenswood Nursery, there is a tree, which is said to be this species, 90 ft. high, 

 which, according to the Return Paper sent us, has not yet been 30 years planted. 



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