SAL 
SAL 
and are found to grow best when the 
surface of the soil is sprinkled with salt. 
SALISBUHIA, Maiden-hcdr Tree 
(Smith). Nat. Ord. Taxacea;. S.adianti- 
folia, the only species, is an extraordinary 
and interesting hardy tree, attaining a 
considerable size, and having fan-shaped 
leaves, resembling in form those of the 
Adiantum or maiden-hair fern. It is a 
native of China, but succeeds well in our 
climate, only requiring a moderately shel¬ 
tered situation and ordinary soil. The 
fruit is represented as a pale brown 
drupe, of a globular form, with a fleshy, 
white, juicy pulp; the kernel is white, 
firm, and sweet, with a mixture of bitter¬ 
ness when raw, but agreeable when 
roasted. It is sold in the Chinese mar¬ 
kets, but has never been produced in this 
country. In the arboretum or as an 
isolated specimen, the plant is remark¬ 
able for its unique appearance, and, 
whether furnished with brandies at the 
base and trained as a shrub, or allowed 
to grow erect in the manner of a tree, is 
equally interesting. Strong loam, light¬ 
ened with leaf-mould, is perhaps the best 
soil for it; though, as before remarked, 
it is not particular in this respect. Pro¬ 
pagation is effected by layers, and when 
grown with a view to increase, the head 
should be taken out and lateral branches 
piipmira.D’Pn 
SALIX, ’ Willow (Linn.) > Nat. Ord. 
Salicaceee. This is an extensive and bo- 
tauically difficult genus of trees and 
shrubs, varying in height from two inches 
to one hundred feet. According to the 
usually accepted authorities, there are 
about two hundred and fifty species; but, 
from the mere shades of difference ad¬ 
mitted as distinguishing marks, and the 
great changes soil or situation may occa¬ 
sion, it is at least probable that a careful 
revision would considerably reduce the 
number ; very many of those adopted for 
species being, in the opinion of acute 
botanists, only varieties. Their geogra¬ 
phical range is, witli a few exceptions, 
limited to the temperate regions of 
Europe and America; those which ex¬ 
ceed this limit are to be included in the 
Arctic vegetation, for the two species, 
S. herbacea and arctica, are found nearer 
the pole than any other ligneous plants. 
The first of these is the smallest plant 
known, possessing the full character of 
a tree, as it seldom exceeds two or three 
inches in stature. Willows are distin¬ 
guished by their simple, undivided leaves, 
generally alternating on the branches, 
and their catkins, displayed at an early 
part of the year. The sexes are usually 
distinct, the male florets being produced 
on other plants than those which bear 
fertile ones. Yery few species have any 
claim to an ornamental character, but 
most of them are of great utility. Among 
the several uses to which willows are 
applied, perhaps the most important is 
that of basket-making; and next in 
consequence is the comparatively recent 
application of the bark to tanning pur¬ 
poses. Nearly all the kinds contain 
tannin, some to a greater extent than 
others; but, on an average of species, 
the willoAvmaybe reckoned at something 
more than half the value of oak for this 
purpose. The leaves also have their use: 
inErance, Lapland, Sweden, and Norway 
they are employed as food for horses. 
The timber is light, tough, and durable; 
the larger portions are esteemed for boat¬ 
building, the paddles of steam-boats, 
floats of water-wheels, and other works 
subject to the action of water. The 
turner, clog, and cricket bat maker also 
use it to a great extent; bonnets are 
made from the chips of some species, as 
also are crayons, charcoal for gunpowder, 
and dyes for leather are extracted from 
the bark. In addition to which, a sub¬ 
stance, called salicine, is obtained by 
maceration from the bark of several 
species, which has been proved to be 
equally efficacious with Peruvian bark in 
the cure of agues and other low fevers. 
This is plentifully produced, and should 
be a cheap remedy. The employment of 
willow poles, as supports in the garden, 
hop-ground, and vineyard, is well known, 
as also their value in the manufacture of 
implement handles. The few species 
which may be considered ornamental, 
may be thus described: 
THOSE WITH PENDULOUS BEANCHES. 
Salix Babylonica, the weeping willow. 
