274 SYLVA FLORIFERA. 



of several species of willow, particularly the 

 bay-leaved, Salix pentandria, forms the soft and 

 warm lining of the nests of the goldfinch and 

 some other birds, from whom we have learnt 

 to collect it as a substitute for cotton in 

 stuffing mattresses and chair cushions, &c, 

 and when mixed with a third part of cotton, 

 it has been advantageously used for candle- 

 wick and many other similar purposes. 



The Germans collect it for the purpose of 

 making wadding, so much used in ladies 

 winter dresses, and a useful ordinary paper 

 may be formed of this cottony substance. 



The dry husks of these trees remaining 

 after the flowers and seeds are fallen, are 

 wholesome as food, people in times of famine 

 having lived upon them boiled in water. 



Some of the kinds of willow, particularly 

 the white willow, will grow to large and lofty 

 trees ; they have been seen nine feet in 

 diameter, or twenty-seven feet in circum- 

 ference, and when perfectly hollow, will give 

 vigorous shoots and flowers by means of the 

 bark. The crack willow, Salix fragilis, grows 

 to be one of the largest trees of this genus. 



The osier, Salix viminalis, is much cultivated 

 in osierholts, for making hoops and the larger 

 sorts of baskets, hampers, cradles, bird-cages, 

 &c. Putcheons and weels for catching eels 



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