AMENTACE.E. 



761 



4. Almond Willow. Salix amygdalina, Linn. (Fig. 913.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 1936, S. triandra, t. 1435, S. lanceolata, t. 1436.) 



A moderate-sized tree, often flowering 

 as a shrub. Leaves rather narrow, lan- 

 ceolate, either paler or more frequently 

 nearly white underneath, but not silky. 

 Catkins cylindrical and loose, on very 

 short, leafy shoots, like those of the com- 

 mon W., but in the males there are 

 always 3 stamens under each scale, and 

 in the females the scales are more per- 

 sistent, remaining often till the fruit is 

 ripe. Capsules seldom 2 lines long, gla- 

 brous, usually pedicellate, and but little 

 tapering at the top. 



In moist or marshy places, in hedges, 

 etc., all over Europe and Russian Asia, 

 except the extreme north, and much 

 cultivated for basket-making. Fre- 

 quent in some parts of southern England and Ireland 



Fig. 913. 



Fl. spring. 



5. Purple Willow. Salix purpurea, Linn. (Fig. 914.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1388, 8. Helix, t. 1343, 8. Forbyana, t. 1344, 8. rubra, 

 t. 1145, 8. Lambertiana, t. 1359.) 



A shrub, decumbent at the base, or a 

 small tree ; the branches twiggy, gla- 

 brous, yellow, green, or purple. Leaves 

 usually long and narrow, varying to ob- 

 long, green and glabrous above, usually 

 whitish or slightly silky underneath. 

 Catkins appearing before the leaves, the 

 males at least closely sessile along the 

 twigs, with only very small bracts at the 

 base, narrow-cylindrical but closely 

 packed, seldom an inch long when in 

 flower, shortly silky ; the scales short, 

 obtuse, and tipped with purple. Sta- 

 mens united into an entire filament with 

 a double anther, or the filament forked, 

 with an anther on each branch. Cap- 

 sules cottony-white, 1 to 1\ lines long, 

 VOL. II. 



Fig. 914. 



