28 The Bramhall Valley. 



as many as fifty, or even a hundred, distinct pistils. 

 Very different is it with the willows. In these, the 



FIG. 5. 

 Willow (female catlcins.) 



stamens and pistils are produced, not only apart, but 

 upon separate trees, so that it takes two individuals, one 

 of each sex, to represent the species in its entirety. The 

 clusters of flowers, termed " catkins," are, in spring, very 

 conspicuous. As a rule, they are developed before the 

 leaves expand, or at all events while the foliage is still 

 quite young, so that to find them is easy. In most of 

 the common species, those of the male trees are of a 

 bright yellow colour, while those of the female trees are 



