33 
On Salix acutifolia, Willd. ; and its Discovery in Britain. 
By Joun G. Baker, Esq. 
AmonestT an extensive series of willows collected in different parts 
of Cleveland, by Wm. Mudd, of Ayton, during the past season, and 
sent to me for examination a few weeks ago, were specimens of a 
plant differing widely in character from any species previously 
recorded as an inhabitant of Britain. There was no difficulty in 
deciding that it belonged to the Pruinose, a group which has been 
supposed to be without any representative in our indigenous Flora. 
So that, upon further investigating the subject, through the medium 
of my valued correspondent, I was much pleased to elicit the fact, 
that the plant in question grows wild (though at present confined to 
a single tree or bush in each station) in three localities in Cleveland ; 
and that it is sufficiently well known to the inhabitants of the district, 
to be distinguished by them under the name of “ black sallow.” 
Perhaps, when it is sought for more specially, it may be found 
elsewhere in greater abundance. But, though at present only known 
to occur so sparingly, the character and position of its localities, far 
away from the vicinity of any cultivated willows or osier-grounds, 
would seem to prevent the supposition, which might otherwise be 
entertained, of its having been introduced by artificial agency. The 
river Leven is formed by the union of two branches, which unite near 
the town of Stokesley. Of these, the southern and larger takes its 
rise beneath the culminating points of the oolitic moorlands which fill 
up the more considerable part of the North-east of Yorkshire, and 
flows towards the North-west. The northern branch is smaller in 
size, and of lesser elevation. It commences below Codhill Bog, near 
Roseberry Topping, the station for Cyperus fuscus and Carex Per- 
soonii; and flows down Kildale, amongst woods which produce 
Cypripedium Calceolus, past the villages of Eastby and Ayton. From 
the neighbourhood of Roseberry Topping, along the slope of Ayton 
Moor, to the western extremity of Kildale, extends Airyholme Wood, 
a favourite locality for lichens, on rocks and trees. Through the cen- 
tre of the wood, almost parallel with the Kildale branch of the Leven, 
flows a small tributary stream. Amongst the underwood along its 
margin, not far from where it leaves the wood, occurs the first bush 
of the willow, at an elevation above the sea of about 700 feet. The 
second grows on the bank of the main stream, about half a mile above 
VOL. V. F 
