292 SELECT PLANTS FOR INDUSTRIAL CULTURE 



plant can doubtless be utilised like the following species. It 

 attains a height of 5 feet. 



Sagittaria obtusa, Muehlenberg. (8. latifolia, Willdenow.) * 



North America, where it replaces the closely-allied S. sagittifolia. 

 A few other conspicuous species are worthy of introduction. 

 The Tule or Wapatoo root of California is derived from a 

 species of Sagittaria. 



Sagittaria sagittifolia, Linne. 



Europe, North and Middle Asia, east to Japan. One of the 

 most showy of all hardy water-plants ; still not alone on that 

 account deserving naturalisation, but also because its root is 

 edible. If once established, this plant maintains its ground 

 well, and might occupy spots neither arable nor otherwise 

 utilised. 



Salix alba, Linne. 



The Huntingdon or Silky Willow of Europe, originally pro- 

 bably from Middle Asia. Available for wet places not other- 

 wise utilised. Height 80 feet, circumference of stem 20 feet -, 

 of rapid growth. Wood eligible where lightness, pliancy, elas- 

 ticity, and toughness are required ; hence in request for wheel- 

 floats and shrouding of water-wheels, as it is not subject to 

 splinter ; also used for turnery, trays, fenders, shoe-lasts, light 

 handles (Simmonds) . Timber, according to Eobb, the lightest 

 and softest of all woods, available for bungs ; it is planed into 

 chips for hat-boxes, baskets, and wove bonnets, also for cricket 

 bats, boxes, &c. The bark is particularly valued as a tan for 

 certain kinds of glove leather to which it imparts an agreeable 

 odour. The Golden Osier, Salix vitellina (L.), is a variety. 

 The shoots are used for hoops and wicker-work. With other 

 large Willows and Poplars one of the best scavengers for back 

 yards where drainage cannot readily be applied ; highly valu- 

 able also for forming lines along narrow watercourses or valleys 

 in forests, to stay bush-fires. The charcoal excellent for gun- 

 powder. The wood in demand for matches. 



Salix Babylonica, Tournefort. 



The Weeping Willow, indigenous in West Asia as far as Japan, 

 sparingly wild, according to Stewart, in the Himalayas ; pro- 

 bably also in Persia, Kurdistan, and China. One of the most 

 grateful of all trees for the facility of its culture, rapidity of 

 growth, and fitness for embellishments. Also as one of the 

 quickest growing and most easily reared of all shade-trees, 

 Dr. C. Koch distinguishes another Weeping Willow as S. 



