212 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
depart from it in the direction of S. arbuscula. (I should 
say that both these species occur not very rarely on the 
B eadalbane mountains). The leaves of &. lapponum are 
variable, but one great character given by all authors is 
that the margin is entire or nearly so. An exception to 
this is Andersson, who, in his “SalicesLapponise,” describes 
some forms as having serrulate margins. In the author’s 
later work—in De Candolle’s Prodromus—he, however, 
says the margin is quite entire or obscurely sinuate-serru¬ 
late, and points out that S. spuria is chiefly to be separated 
from S. lapponum by its more serrated and more glabrous 
leaves. 
On the present occasion I do not propose givitig a full 
description of our specimens, as it will perhaps be better 
to wait till I have had an opportunity of having them com¬ 
pared with authentic specimens. But I may point out 
that they may be distinguished from S. lapponum by the 
evidently glandular-serrate margin, upper surface more 
shining and finally almost or quite glabrous, under surface 
less hairy, their smaller average size, and perhaps by the 
shorter stalks somewhat less widened at the base. I think 
that also the texture of the leaves is harder and the pub¬ 
escence of the young leaves more silky and less woolly. 
From S. arbuscula the greater and more persistent villo- 
sity, the less shining surface, and the browner colour when 
dried, readily distinguish our specimens. S. spuria has 
been recorded only from Switzerland and the Tyrol. 
Whatever our specimens may prove to be, they are 
clearly separable from the ordinary form of S. lapponum. 
2. “ The Native Timber Trees of Perthshire .” By Mr W. 
Lindsay. 
As the native trees of Perthshire form an important part 
of the botany of our county, and as a large portion of the 
Society's Museum is devoted to the illustration of these 
with specimens of the wood, leaves, flowers, fruits, seed¬ 
lings, branches, and twigs, I have thought the subject not 
unworthy of the following remarks. So far as known, the 
following 19 species of trees are indigenous to Perthshire. 
Of the 80 orders into which the trees and shrubs of Britain 
are divided, 10 are represented in Perthshire. 
Order Aquifoliacece, one species. 
1. The Common Green Holly. (Ilex Aquifoliwm,h.') 
The wood of the holly is almost as white as ivory, very 
hard, with a fine grain, and susceptible of a high degree of 
polish, and is readily stained with black, green, blue, or 
red. It is applied to a great many purposes in joinery, 
cabinet - making, turnery, engineering, and mathema¬ 
tical instrument - making, and is even used for wood¬ 
engraving. It is largely used as an ornamental tree and 
for hedges; and has this great advantage over deciduous 
trees and shrubs, that it is seldom liable to be at¬ 
tacked by insects. If kept closely clipped, the outer 
surface becomes impenetrable even to birds, who cannot 
build their nests in it. The name of the holly is probably 
a corruption of the word “ holy,” derived from its connec¬ 
tion with Christmas-time. The German name Christdorn, 
the Danish name Christorn, and the Swedish name Christ- 
torn, seem to justify this conjecture. 
Order Rosacece, five species, belonging to three genera. 
2. The Gean or Wild Cherry. (Cerasus Avium Moench.) 
Found in hedge-rows and woods, and largely used as 
a stock for grafting the cultivated cherry on. The wood 
of the wild cherry is firm, close grained, and of a reddish 
colour. It is easily worked, and takes a fine polish. It 
is much sought after by cabinetmakers, turners, and 
musical instrument-makers. The fruit of this species is 
small, with very little flesh surrounding the nut, bitter 
before it comes to maturity, insipid when the fruit is ripe, 
and only fit as food for birds. 
3. The Bird Cherry. (Prunus Padus, L.) 
This tree or shrub, to attain a timber-like size, requires 
the shelter either of a favourable locality or of adjoining 
trees. In Britain the principal use of the bird cherry is 
as an ornamental tree, and few make a finer appearance 
than it does, either when in flower in April and May, or 
when covered with its racems of black fruit in August. 
It reaches greater dimensions as a timber tree in France, 
where it is much used by cabinetmakers and turners, 
who increase the beauty of its veining by sawing 
out the boards diagonally—that is obliquely across the 
trunk, instead of parallel with its length. The wood is 
hard and yellowish, and, in a green state, it has a dis¬ 
agreeable bitter odour and taste. 
4. The Common Hawthorn (Cratccgus oxyacantha, L.) 
The common hawthorn in its wild state is a shrub or 
small tree, most commonly found as a large dense bush ; 
but if systematically and regularly pruned it forms one of 
the most beautiful and durable trees, interesting for its 
sweet-scented flowers in May, and for its fruit in autumn. 
The wood of the hawthorn is very hard, and difficult to 
work ; and its colour is white, with a yellowish tinge. It 
is not much used in the arts, because it is seldom found of 
sufficient size, and besides is apt to warp. By far the 
most important use of the hawthorn is as a hedge-plant. 
The name “ quicks,” which is not unfrequently applied to 
the hawthorn, means live, in opposition to hedges some¬ 
times made of the dead branches of this plant. 
