JDIANDBIA. MONOGYNIA. Sali*. 
51 
SALIX. # Catkin, each scale containing one flower: Bloss. 
none. 
Barr. FI. A nectariferous gland at the bottom of the 
flower. 
Fert. FI. Style cloven: Caps, one cell; two valves : 
Seeds downy. 
(In the sixth edition of this work, availing ourselves of the elaborate 
researches of Hoffman, Willdenow, Smith, Crowe, and others, the Salices 
were entirely re-modelled, and the number of species doubled. In our 
present attempt we have endeavoured further to elucidate the obscure 
subject by whatever new light could be obtained. The following obser¬ 
vations will be found worthy of the reader’s attention, in reference to this 
tribe of plants. “ Florets in catkins almost universally separated, being 
all barren on one plant, and fertile on another of the same species, without 
the slightest possible difference in the characters or appearance of the 
two individuals in any other respect. Sometimes, indeed, a barren Jloret 
or two occurs in a fertile catkin , especially among the monandrous spe¬ 
cies ; sometimes catkins have been found nearly equally fertile and bar¬ 
ren. In S. oleifolia, Mr. Borrer has for several ye^rs traced the progress 
of this mutation in the organs of impregnation, which confirms a report, 
whose origin does not appear, of Willows changing the nature of their 
blossoms, though treated as a fiction by Linnaeus.” So difficult has it 
been found to supply the extensive genus with accurate specific defini¬ 
tions, that Sir J. E. Smith, after having devoted much attention to the 
subject, and with peculiar advantages, for thirty years, has nevertheless 
failed to discover an arrangement perfectly satisfactory. Asa general 
and indispensable rule for the accomplishment of this arduous task, that 
learned author observes: “Willows should be particularly studied in 
three different seasons: the flowering time; the earlypart of the summer, 
when the young shoots, with their stipulas and expanding foliage, are to 
be observed ; and finally when the leaves are come to their full size.” 
Eng. FI. v. 4. p. 165.)f 
* (d saliendo, leaping, springing upwards ; as illustrative of its rapid growth; or 
more probably descriptive of its elasticity. E.) 
t (Particulars of the economical uses of Willows, (and so important were they deemed 
to husbandry, that in the earlier ages they were dedicated to Ceres,) will be found 
under the respective species. Suffice it here to remark generally, in regard to their va¬ 
rious appropriation, that, during the prevalence of the sanguinary rites of Druidism, 
human victims were enclosed in wicker-work constructed of these plants, preparatory to 
their being consumed by fire. From Martial we learn that the ancient Britons were so 
skilful in weaving Willows, that baskets, (“ bascaudaa”), and vessels by them so con¬ 
structed, excited the admiration even of civilized Rome. Lib. xiv, Ep. 99 j as confirmed 
by Juvenal, 
“ Adde et bascaudas.”—Sat. xii. v. 46. 
The shields which so long resisted the Roman legions were also woven of the like mate¬ 
rials, covered with hides ; and of nearly similar construction were the boats of our ab¬ 
origines, described by Caesar, Pliny, and Lucan. Solinus likewise alludes to the Irish 
and Scotch as using boats made of wattles. From the most remote period to the present 
time, Willows have been connected with melancholy associations. Thus Prior: 
“Afflicted Israel shall sit weeping down. 
Their harps upon the neighb'ring willows hung;” 
or with infinitely more affecting pathos, in the language of Holy Writ, “ By the waters 
of Babylon we sat down : yea there we wept when we thought upon Zion: We hanged 
our harps upon the trees in the midst thereof.” 
s 2 
