THE SOFTWOODS 189 
For this reason they were all known anciently 
as ‘aquatic species’ of trees. There are now many 
kinds of willows and poplars grown in Britain, 
though originally there appears to have been only 
one indigenous kind of each, the Saugh, Sallow, 
Sally or Goat Willow (S. caprea), and the aspen 
(P. tremula). The willows and poplars are easily 
distinguished during their leafless winter condi- 
tion, from the fact that the buds of the former are 
enclosed by what appears to be one bract, while 
the poplar buds are enclosed within several bracts. 
Of both of these genera of the Salicacee family 
there are many species, and these branch off again 
into numerous, one is almost tempted to say 
innumerable, varieties. As regards willows, even 
in Evelyn’s time there seems to have been rather 
a confusion between Withies, Sallyes, Osiers, and 
Willows. The first-named embraced the Crack 
or Redwood Willow (8. fragilis) and the White or 
Huntingdon Willow (5. a/ba), for he remarks that 
‘The Withy is a reasonable large ¢ree, and fit to be 
planted on high banks; because they extend their 
roots deeper than either Sa/lyes or Willows. . 
There are two principal sorts of these Withies, 
the hoary, and the red Withy, which is the Greek ; 
