i64 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [chap. 



WILLOWS {Salix). 



There are about i6o species of Willows known, and 

 many hybrids and varieties, making the determination 

 of the forms very difficult. They yield soft, usually pale 

 coloured, light and easily worked tough timber, of con- 

 siderable value for certain purposes, owing to the wood 

 denting instead of splitting when struck by heavy 

 objects. The principal are the following : 



Salix alba, the White Willow, used especially for 

 poles. The Goat Willow or Sallow {S. Capred), used for 

 hoops, poles, crates, etc. The Crack Willow {S. fragilis), 

 and the Osiers {S. purpurea, S. viminalis, etc.), used for 

 making baskets. 



Planks of the larger Willows are valued as linings 

 for carts, barrows, etc., owing to their not splintering 

 when struck by stones, bricks, etc., and blocks are prized 

 for brakes, as they do not fire so readily as other wood 

 by the friction on the wheels. 



OTHER EUROPEAN TIMBERS. 



Of the remaining European timbers the following are 

 noteworthy: 



Tilia Europcea, the Lime, or Linden, of which there 

 are three varieties. The white soft wood is used in 

 furniture making. 



Maples, Acer pseudo-platanus (the Sycamore) has a 

 yellowish-white wood, prized by cabinet-makers. A. 

 platanoides, the Norway Maple, and A. campestre, the 

 field Maple, are less valued. 



Horse-chestnut {/Esculus hippocastanuni], not much 

 used. 



