58 



BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



of bark, &c. Some varieties or individuals of the 

 English elm have the bark of the young twigs and 

 branches covered with corky ridges : others want this 

 excrescence. 



Redwood Willow, or Stag's Head Ozier, — Salix 

 fragilis *, 



This kind of willow, once very common in the 

 alluvial parts of Scotland, before the introduction of 

 Salix alba, S. Musselliana, &;c., is probably the 

 most profitable timber that can be planted in such 

 soils. It was our district's maxim, that " the wil- 

 low will purchase the horse before any other timber 

 purchase the saddle," on account of its very quick 

 growth, and the value of its timber. It deHghts in 



* It is termed by our professors Salix fragilis, or Crack Wil- 

 low, from the small branches breaking easily at the junction of 

 the annual growth— or, perhaps. Crack Willow, from the branches 

 breaking with considerable report ; or from the wood, while burn- 

 ing, fi-equently detonating or crackling, from the expansion 

 of some aerial fluid within the fibres. Though named by 

 their sapience fragilis, it is not weaker than other large grow- 

 ing willows, but stronger and denser ; and, being harder in the 

 small branches, they do not bend, but break when their bark and 

 alburnum is driest, in winter. The timber is superior to that of 

 Salix alba, or of any other large growing willow we are acquaint- 

 ed with, and is sufficiently pliant and tough. 



