Willows and their Cultivation. 235 
difference are quickly confusing, for there is at the outset 
remarkable difference of opinion as to the range of the genus in 
the number of its species and varieties, and the difficulty is 
increased the moment we consider the subject of nomenclature. 
Thus William Scaling, a cultivator of willows and a shrewd 
observer of facts in connexion with his calling, in 1871 and 
1872 prepared and published a series of papers on “ The Salix 
or Willow,” and he there tabulated as many as 207 varieties. 
He was under the belief that each of these possessed some 
characteristics sufficiently distinctive to entitle its separate 
mention in the classified list. 
Botanists, too, are free to admit the extreme difficulties 
presented by the genus, and it has been frequently noted that 
varieties seem to overlap and intermingle, and that hybrids con- 
stantly come in to add to the perplexities of those engaged 
upon the study and separation of species, and the determination 
and definition of features sufficiently constant and marked to 
constitute distinct varieties. Loudon 1 after describing the 
characteristics of the genus goes on to say : “ The appearance 
of the male plant and of the female plant (for the plant is 
dioecious) is generally more or less different, and hence one of 
the difficulties in the study of this genus, the species of which 
may be described as in a state of inextricable confusion.” The 
latter part of this statement seems to be extreme, and does not, 
probably, put the matter in its true light ; but that there is some 
show of reason in the view thus put before us, in the sentence 
as a whole, a critical examination of natural specimens will 
quickly confirm ; or, if access cannot readily be had to the 
plants themselves, a reference to the excellent plates in Sowerby 2 
may serve to indicate what Loudon had in mind when he wrote 
a sentence so sweeping. 
As against the 207 varieties tabulated by Scaling, however, 
it may be noted that Babington 3 only makes 29 species, 
but with these he interweaves some 60 varieties. Hooker 4 
gives 17 species, whilst Bentham, 5 whose classification has 
at least the merit of simplicity, — so far as simplicity is safe, 
consistent with correctness, on the less critical basis of broadly 
defined differentiation, reducing the number of varieties to 
a minimum, and noting more particularly only clearly marked 
and well-maintained features, — remarks that 15 species can 
1 Loudon’s Trees and Shrubs of Great Britain, 1883 Ed. 
2 Sowerby’s English Botany , edited by John T. Boswell Syme, F.L.S. 
3 Babington’s Manual of British Botany, Seventh Edition, 1874. 
4 The Student's Flora of the British Isies. By J. D. Hooker, C.B. i870 Ed. 
5 Handbook of the British Flora, by George Bentham, F.R.S. 1865 Ed. 
