336 THE VEGETABLE WORLD. 
Osier beds are generally found where they can be under water the 
greater part of the year; while the Sallows, as S. caprea, rather 
affect dry woods and hedges; others, as S. /anata, are. beautiful 
mountain shrubs, the fertile catkins of which are sometimes found 
a span long in Glen Dole and Glen Callater. 
Willows abound in temperate regions, but decrease sensibly in 
number towards the South of Europe and in Algeria. They serve 
to consolidate the borders of water and rivers. The Willow 
furnishes means for the basket-maker’s work. 
The White Willow (Fig. 375) is the most important of its 
species, on account of the large dimensions which it acquires: it is 
very productive in Osiers and Pollards. 
The Weeping Willow (Salix Babylonica), of which we have 
already given a representation at page 66, is particularly remarkable 
for the length, flexibility, and graceful drooping habit of its branches, 
n 
: , {llow: 
Fig. 375.— Male catkin of the Willow. Fig 376,—Female catkin of the Wi 
which give it an appearance of melancholy grace. Its oon . ae 
unknown ; we only possess the female specimen. ae cab 
The Salix reticulata, Wrinkled Willow, isa very S™*" 
of from one to two feet high, which grows in the Alps, the ase — 
and on the Welsh and Scottish mountains. “ “a 
The herbaceous Willow is also a very small shrub, with - herba- oe 
ing under ground and emitting branches almost completely ee 
