54 TREES GROWING NEAR WATER. 



ful, and we may fancy it would make a bewitching decoration 

 for the white, fleecy gown of some woodland fairy. 



The tree is slow of growth, and as the name ironwood implies, 

 its wood is very strong and compact. It is well adapted to the 

 making of farming implements, such as the teeth in rakes and 

 other similar articles where durability is required. 



BLACK WILLOW. (Plate XVII.) 

 Salix nigra. 



FAMILY SHAPE HEIGHT RANGE TfME OF BLOOM 



Willow. Head open, irregular; 15-35 feet. New Brunswick south- April, May. 



branches, stout, ward and westward to 

 upright. California. 



Bark : Blackish or light brown ; rough ; flaky. Branches : yellowish brown ; 

 slender; brittle at the base. Stipules: inclined to vary. Leaves: simple; 

 alternate ; about two inches long, with short petioles ; narrowly lanceolate, 

 pointed at both ends or wedge-shaped at the base ; finely and sharply serrate 

 or entire ; pubescent, and later becoming smooth excepting along the midrib ; 

 the under side paler than the light green upper surface. Flowers : growing in 

 catkins and terminal at the end of the season's branches. Staminate ones with 

 from three to five stamens. Pistillate ones scaly. 



A particular charm and freshness seems to cluster around the 

 willows ; and although about one hundred and sixty species of 

 them are recognised by botanists, there runs so strong a 

 family resemblance through them all that it would be difficult 

 to confuse any one of them with another genus. By their gen- 

 eral aspect and leaves many of the species can be known. 

 The study of the differences in their flowers is one that requires 

 minute observation and carefulness. Although each one of the 

 willows has its own habitat, the greater number of them are 

 fond of water and seek the river's edge. Here they have their 

 own work to do in holding the soil together and often forming 

 strong breastworks against the wind. They abundantly scatter 

 their seeds, and detached twigs and branches strike root with 

 great facility. In low places and the adjoining meadows their 

 trail can often be followed by numerous ones that have sprung 

 up and whose ancestors live on the river's bank. Salix nigra, 

 however, is seldom found growing away from water. Its wood 



