ecu. EUPHOEBIACE^, 687 



The affinities of Salidnets are obscure'; they approach Bahamifluce (see that family), and resemble 

 the Amentaceous families in their inflorescence, diclinism, the absence of perianth (at least in the % ), the 

 connate carpels,' dry fruit, and straight exalbuminous embryo, but there the resemblance ceases. Some 

 botanists have compared them with Tamariscinece on account of the parietal placentation and bearded 

 seeds, but this comparison appears unnatural. 



Willows principally aflfect damp and swampy places throughout the northern hemisphere. [A few 

 species inhabit temperate South America and South Africa, none Australia or the Pacific Islands.] 

 Poplars grow in Central and South Europe, North Africa and North America. They have not been met 

 with elsewhere. 



Salicinecs possess astringent and bitter principles in their bark, which are used for the cure of inter- 

 mittent fevers, especially in the form of the actjlve principle salicine, which is obtained from Salix alha, 

 vitellina, amygdalina, viminalis, Helix, purpurea, &c. Some Poplars {Populvs alba and tremula) also con^ 

 tain salicine, but it is accompanied by another alkaloid named populine. Their bark also contains a 

 yellow dye, which, is often utilized. The resinous and balsamic buds' of the Black Poplar (P. nigra') and 

 Aspen (P. tremulay yield the base of the unguent poputeum, a preparation used in cases of haBmorrhage ; 

 these buds are also taken internally in chronic affections of the lungs. P. balsamifera, of North America, 

 yields the resin tacamdhaea, a resolvent and vulnerary. The (J catkins of Salix mgyptiaca are very odori- 

 ferous, and a medicinal water is prepared from them in the East which is regarded as a sudorific and 

 cordial. Poplar wood, although soft, is valued for its lightness ; that of Willows, and especially of Salix 

 capreea, and of Osiers {S. vitellina, mminalis, purptirea"), is universally used by basket-makers, coopers, and 

 gardeners. Several species of Willows and Poplars contribute to the beauty of our gardens. 



ecu. EUPEORBIACE^. 



(Teicocc^, L. — TiTHTMALOiDE^, Ventenat. — Exiphokbi^, Jussieu. — Etjphoebiace^, 

 B. Br. — Antidesmb^, Putbanjive^ adjunctcB. — Buxine^ exclusce.) 



Elowees diclinous, usually mono- rarely di-chlamydeous, or achlamydeous. Ovaet 

 free, 'd-celled, rarely of 2 or several 1-2-ovuled cells ; ovules pendulous. Eeuit 

 usually of 3 cocci, rarely a berry. Seeds solitary or geminate, pendulous. Embeto 

 straight, in the axis of an abundant fleshy albumen. 



Large or small teees, or undeesheubs, or hbebs, of very various habit ; juice 

 milky, acrid, opaline or watery. Leaves alternate, rarely opposite or wliorled, 

 sometimes mucli reduced, never wliolly absent, petioled or sessile, usually 2-stipulate 

 at the base, nearly always simple, rarely 3-foliolate. [or pinnate] ; limb entire, toothed 

 or lobed, penni- or palmi-nerved, very various in size, shape, consistence and clothing. 

 Inploeescence axillary (rarely extra-axillary) or terminal, definite or indefinite, 

 very polymorphous. Flowbes monoecious or dioecious, $ with often a rudimentary 

 pistil, ? central (i.e. terminal) when the inflorescence is androgynous and definite, 

 peripheric (i.e. lowest on the axis) when it is indefinite. Calyx gamosepalous, 

 usually 3-5-merous, aestivation various (very rarely 0) ; lobes equal or unequal, entire, 

 toothed or cut. Goeolla polypetalous, or very rarely gamopetalous, hypogynous or 

 perigynous, varying like the calyx in the number of parts, colour and sestivatioii ; 

 petals alternate with the calyx-lobes when they are isomerous, imbricate or twisted in 

 aestivation. Disk varying in situation and form (or 0). Stamens l-oo , central in the 

 $ , or inserted at the bottom or on the base of the calyx ; filaments free or mono-poly- 

 adelphous, erect or incurved ; anthers [usually absent] variously inserted, globose 



