284 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



The Bedford willow, which is found throughout the 

 midland and southern counties, in marshes and willow-beds, 

 and is nowhere more abundant than in Northumberland, 

 derives its name from the late and present Dukes of Bed- 

 ford, who first ascertained and brought into notice the 

 valuable properties of the bark for tanning. This interest- 

 ing species, which grows equally in the vicinity of London 

 and in the wildest solitudes in the north of England, is 

 associated with the mention of a time-worn castle in the 

 vale of Tyne. 



" That castle rises on the steep 



Of the green vale of Tyne, 

 While far below, as low they creep, 

 From pool to eddy, dark and deep, 

 Where alders bend and willows weep, 



Yon hear her stream repine." 



Eew trees are equally distinguished for rapid growth, 

 and extraordinary bulk in proportion to their size. In less 

 than thirty years, the trunks afford considerable quantities 

 of useful board, for hop- poles and hurdle-bars, and are 



