212 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Tree. Late Spring, early Summer. 
A tree attaining a great size, with thick fissured bark; branches 
more erect than in S. fragilis, the shoots of the year generally silky- 
pubescent. Leaves 2} to 4 inches long, with the lateral margins more 
regularly curved from the base to the apex than in S. fragilis; and in 
the typical form, both sides are clothed with silky white hairs, especially 
when young; when old the upper side | -omes green from the pube- 
scence being sparse, the under side in var. 6 is at length nearly 
denuded and glaucous. The male catkins are shorter and more slender 
than those of S. fragilis, with the filaments and anthers darker yellow. 
The female catkins are much more slender and lax than in S. fragilis 
and §. viridis, with longer catkin-scales and with very shortly stalked 
ovaries, which are more ovate and less pointed, and remain green, even 
when ripe, and have the styles shorter than the stigmas. Both the 
male and female catkins are more erect while in flower. 
The var. y is now generally considered a variety or unnatural state 
of S.alba. According to Andersson, it is said to be often produced by 
the annual cutting of the trees, and Fries considers that the state 
with yellow branches of this and several other species of willows is 
produced by a disease, as if the plant were jaundiced. There is one 
point, however, connected with the S. vitellina of the original edition 
of “ English Botany,” which appears to have escaped the notice of the 
writers who have studied the willows, with the exception of Dr. Walker- 
Arnott—this is, the great length of the catkin-scales in proportion to 
the essential organs, which gives a very different aspect to the plant. 
To me, however, it appears that this arises mainly from the essential 
organs being really less developed, as in var. vitellina the ovaries: 
have exactly the appearance of abortive capsules, such as are often 
found intermixed with the perfect ones in the varieties @ and 6. Such 
imperfections we might readily expect, if the form be produced by 
mutilation or disease. 
Var. a, White Willow. Var. B, Blue Willow. Var. y, Golden Willow. 
French, Saule blanc. German, Weisse Weide. 
This species of willow is more frequently used for timber than any other. It grows 
rapidly, and the wood is soft and white, but firm, and adapted for many purposes in 
which durability is not an object. It answers well for house timber, if not exposed to 
damp, and is suitable for flooring. In the roofs of houses, rafters of this timber have 
been known to stand one hundred years. It is in great demand for common casks 
and other cooper’s work, while its softness and whiteness render it valuable to the 
turner. The younger branches are used for handles for agricultural implements, such 
as rakes and hoes, and are much lighter than ash, and equally durable, if kept from. 
the weather, Split into thin, long strips, the smaller branches are woven into a mate- 
rial that is much used as a substitute for straw in making hats and bonnets—a 
manufacture carried on in Caen, in Normandy, as well as in London. As fuel, white 
willow is not very economical, but burns rapidly, and gives out a great deal of leat, 
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