Handbook of Trees of the Xoktiikkn States and Canada. 



93 



trui 



It is the (Mnnnion I'lissi/ Willotr in tlie 



parkmre of .diildnn. who hail with deii-ht its 



oidar<,Mn<,' iiairy catkins as tlie first evidence 



of approiichiiiij; >])rin,i;. and liatlicr l)iinclies of 



its branches for iionie decoration. Tlie tree is 



indeed at this season a handsome ohje-t. and 



when in full llower the humming of numerous 



bees among its branches ttdls us that tbey find 



in its flowers their first harvests after their 



long winter's lest. It is an abundant species, 



growing along the baid<s of streams and low 



wet meadows in company with other \N'illows, 



Ashes. Arbor-Vita', etc. 



Its wood is o:'casionally used for charcoal. 



A cubic foot wlien absolutely dry weighs 20.50 



Lcarrx convnhite in tli(> lind. narrow nlilont;. or 

 ol)long-lancpolatp, '2-'t in. Ions;, acute at l)()th ends, 

 remotely crenate-serrate. pubescent at first but 

 finally glal)rous thiclv and firm, dai'k green above, 

 glaucous white beneath with btroad midribs ; 

 stipules seraicordate and commonly caducous ; 

 winter buds rather large, purple and lustrous. 

 Flowers in earliest spring, iu'fore the loaves, in 

 dense erect sessile aments. 1 in. or more in length, 

 pale tomentose with dark rod and finally blackish 

 scales covered on the back with long silky white 

 hairs ; stamens 2. with long glabrous filaments : 

 ovary villous with short style and entire spread- 

 ing stigmas. Fruit cajtsules narrow vonical, 

 pubescent and with long point. 



