440 DICTIOISrAIlY OP POPULAR NAMES WILLOW 



Babylon we sat down, yea we wept, when we remembered Zion. 

 "We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof." 

 According to tradition, the pendulous nature of this willow 

 was caused by the weight of the hai^ps, and this habit was 

 permanently imparted to the progeny of these trees. The tree, 

 however, is not recorded to have been seen in modern times 

 growing by the streams of Babylon, and it is now therefore 

 generally understood that the trees which the Jews hanged 

 their harps on were a species of poplar (Pojpidus mphfctUca), It 

 was also early known that the Weeping "Willow is wild in China, 

 and that it migrated westward. It is recorded to have been 

 introduced into this country, and cultivated in the Eoyal Gardens, 

 Hampton Court, in 1692, and it is said that the original tree was 

 received by Pope, and planted in his garden at Twickenham, 

 where it was long famed. In 1825 it came into special public 

 notice on account of a twig having been received at Kew, taken 

 from a tree growing over Napoleon's grave at St. Helena. To 

 see this twig the crowd was so great that one Sunday, before the 

 hour of opening, the gates were burst open. The twig grew into a 

 fine tree 40 feet high, French visitors paying reverence to it by 

 taking off their hats on passing it. In 18G7 this popular tree 

 was cut down. 



Willow, White (Scdix alba), also called the Huntingdon 

 Willow. This species and Sahx> Etcsselliana are large trees, 

 affording useful timber for many purposes, the wood being light 

 and firm. Cricket bats are made of it. 



Willow and Oak Mannas are produced in Eurdistan, the 

 latter being an exudation on the upper side of the leaves of 

 Quercus mannifera ; it is produced during the hottest months of 

 the year. The natives cut the branches and steep them in 

 boiling water until the manna is entirely dissolved; they aie 

 then taken out, and the fluid evaporated to the consistence of 

 thick honey. When cool it is shaped into flat round cakes, 

 which are sold as a sweetmeat. Being found on the upper 

 surface of the leaves, as well as upon stones, the natives suppose 

 that it falls from the sky; they call it Ghiok helvahsfe, which 



