762 



THE CATKIN FAMILY. 



usually sessile, and very obtuse. The female catkins, especially when 

 in fruit, are sometimes shortly stalked, with a few leafy bracts at their 

 base. 



In marshy places, and on river-banks, in temperate and southern 

 Europe, extending across Russian Asia, and northwards to southern 

 Scandinavia ; some varieties cultivated as Osiers. Spread over Eng- 

 land, Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. early spring. The broader- 

 leaved varieties, commonly designated as 8. purpurea or S. Helix, 

 appear to be the most common, the narrower-leaved S. rubra chiefly 

 cultivated. 



6. Osier Willow. Salix viminalis, Linn. (Fig. 915.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1898, 8. stipularis, t. 1214. Common Osier.) 



A shrub, with long, twiggy branches, 

 usually slightly downy, sometimes grow- 

 ing into a small tree. Leaves long and 

 narrow, often 4 or 5 inches, of a silvery 

 white underneath, with the silky down 

 more copious than in any other long- 

 leaved species. Catkins cylindrical, ses- 

 sile or nearly so, with a few bracts at the 

 base, an inch long or rather more, with 

 rather long, silky hairs. Stamens 2, as 

 in all the following species. Capsules 

 downy, about 2 lines long, tapering to- 

 wards the top. 



In wet places, along streams, etc., 



throughout Europe and Hussian Asia, 



except the extreme north, and the most 



commonly cultivated Osier. Erequent in Britain. Fl. spring. The 



8. Smithiana, Willd. (8. mollissima, Eng. Bot. t. 1509), is a rather 



broader-leaved variety, with the capsules more distinctly pedicellate. 



7. Sallow Willow. Salix Caprea, Linn. (Eig. 916.) 



(Eng. Bot. 1. 1488, S. sphacelata, t. 2333, 8. cinerea, 1. 1897, S. aquatica, 

 t. 1437, 8. olecefolia, t. 1402, and probably S. acuminata, t. 1434. 

 Common Sallow. Fnglish Falm.) 



A tall shrub or bushy tree. Leaves ovate or oblong, often rather 

 large, seldom tapering at the top, either narrowed, rounded, or broadly 

 cordate at the base, usually of a greyish green, more or less wrinkled, 

 and whitish underneath with a short crisped down, not silky, entire or 

 toothed, especially when old. Stipules usually conspicuous, broad and 



