AMENTIFERZ. 201 
According to Dr. Mayne, the name of this genus is derived from salio, to spring 
out, from its rapid growth; other authors say it comes from the Celtic sal, near, and 
lis, water, in reference to its general habitat, 
Section I.—VITISALIX. Dumort. 
_ Catkin and its leafy stalk deciduous together, lateral, appearing with 
the leaves. Catkin-scales of a uniform pale yellow colour. Nectary 
of 2 pieces or “urceolate.” Stamens or pistils between the 2 pieces 
of the nectary. Vernation convolute. 
Sus-Srection IL—LYCUS. Dumort. 
Nectary “ undivided” or 2-cleft, 1 portion being between the catkin- 
scale and the germen or stamen, the other between these organs 
and the rachis of the catkin.* Stamens 4 to 8 (or 12 ?). 
Large shrubs or small trees with glossy glabrous leaves. Stipules 
caducous or rudimentary. 
division of the genus is that of M. Dumortier; a detailed account of which will be 
found in Seeman’s “Journal of Botany,” for June, 1863, p. 167, and in the “Bulletins 
de la Société Royale Botanique de Belgique,” vol. i. p. 140. 
With regard to the so-called species and varieties, I have made but slight changes 
from the nomenclature now commonly recognised in this country, avoiding the 
minute subdivisions proposed by Sir J. E. Smith and Mr. Borrer on the one hand, 
and the extreme reduction of the number of species adopted by Mr. Bentham on the 
other, though possibly each of these may be right in the main, when the subject is 
viewed from each of the two extreme significations of the term “species.” I have 
derived great assistance from Dr. Wimmer’s “ Salices Europe,” and the admirable 
“ Monographia Salicum” of Mr. Andersson, but although I strongly incline to the 
conclusion arrived at by these writers, namely, that a great number of the forms are 
hybrids, I have not ventured to use the hybrid nomenclature until this question shall 
have been satisfactorily settled. The great abundance of these so-called hybrid 
forms, and the fact that some of them shade imperceptibly into one of the supposed 
parents but not into the other, are the two chief points which may be urged against 
the supposition of their hybrid origin; for there is no genus in which @ priori one 
might more reasonably expect to find crosses than in Salix, where we have dicecious 
plants, several species often growing together, much visited by insects, and having 
flowers. 
* The character given by M. Dumortier of the nectary is that it is urceolate and 
undivided. I have found it of 2 pieces in the specimens of S. pentandra and S. 
cuspidata which I have examined. 
VOL, VII. DD 
