66 IRambies witb IRature Students 



harps upon the willows of Babylon, the tree should 

 have been regarded as an emblem of sadness : and 

 yet, in later times, it should have changed its 

 character, and become a token of joy and gladness. 



We possess from thirty to forty kinds of willow 

 in Britain, ranging from trees eighty feet in height 

 down to the dwarf species which abound on northern 

 moors, and are only a few inches high. 



I have gathered sufficient of the white silky down 

 from the willow seed-vessels on our common to stuff 

 a sofa-cushion, and in fine weather the air is filled 

 with the light fluffy seeds which are thus carried 

 far and wide. 



We owe to the willow the valuable medicine sali- 

 cine, so much used for the alleviation of rheumatic 

 pains. A preparation of salicine crystals forms a 

 beautiful microscopic slide, and when shown with 

 the polariscope exhibits exquisite rainbow colours. 



