592 SALICACE^ — MYKICACE^. 



as well as in North America and the northern parts of Africa. Genera, 

 2 ; species, 180. Examples — Salix, Populus. 



The bark of many species of Willow, such as Salix Oaprma, alba, Bus- 

 selUana, fragilis, pentandra, viiellina, purpurea, and Helix, yields a neu- 

 tral crystalline bitter substance called Salicin, which is employed as a 

 febrifuge and tonic. The bark also possesses astringent qualities from 

 the presence of tannin. Salicin assumes a carmine-red tint when moist- 

 ened with a few drops of concentrated sulphuric acid. Salix fragilis yields 

 a saccharine exudation. Various species of WiUows (osiers) are used for 

 basket-making, while others are employed in forming charcoal. Salix 

 habyloniea is the Weeping-wOlow. Its specific name is founded on the 

 supposition that it was the species on which the Israelites hanged their 

 harps by the waters of Babylon. The word a^nj?, Orebim, in the Bible 

 is doubtfully translated Willows. Populus alba is commonly called 

 the Abele, while P. iremula is the Aspen, and P. fastigiata and dilatata 

 the Lombardy Poplar. The buds of Populus nigra and lalsamifera 

 are covered with a resinous exudation, to which the name of Tacama- 

 hac has been given ; it is said to be diuretic and antiscorbutic. The 

 leaves and bark of some Poplars secrete a saccharine substance, which 

 has been termed Populine. Salix arctica and polaris extend to the 

 arctic regions, and form the most northern woody plants. Salix her- 

 bacea, a smaU creeping Willow, occurs abundantly on the Scotch 

 mountains. The downy matter surrounding the seeds of Poplars and 

 Willows is used for . stuflSng pillows and cushions, as well as for the 

 manufacture of a kind of paper. 



Order 177. — Myeicace^, the Gale Family. (Apet. Diclin.) 

 Flowers monoecious or dioecious, in catkins. Male flowers achlamyde- 

 ous : stamens 2-16, sessile, in the axil of a scale j filaments united at 

 the base ; anthers innate, extrorse. Female flowers in catkins : ovary 

 1 -celled, with hypogynous scales; ovule solitary, erect, orthotropal. 

 Fruit drupaceous, often with a waxy secretion, and with fleshy adher- 

 ent scales ; embryo exalbuminous ; radicle superior. — Shrubs or trees, 

 with scattered unjointed branches, scaly buds, alternate, simple, often 

 serrated leaves, usually odoriferous. Natives both of tropical and of 

 temperate regions. They are found chiefly in North America, at the 

 Cape of Good Hope, and on the mountains of Asia and Java. Genera, 

 3 ; species, about 30. Examples — Myxica, Comptonia. 



The species of Myrica are aromatic, and yield resinous and oily 

 matter. Myrica Oale is the Gale, Scotch Myrtle, or Bog-myrtle, which 

 is common in marshy grounds and damp heaths in Britain. The 

 fruit of Myrica cerifera, called Wax Myrtle, or Bay Myrtle, or Candle- 

 berry, yields a greenish-coloured wax, which is used for candles. The 

 drupaceous fruit of Myrica sa/pida, a native of Nepaul and China, is 

 eaten. The leaves of Comptonia asplenifolia, Sweet Fern, contain 

 peculiar glands. 



