Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/361

327&#93; WIL lis, under the name of Du7i Sirds, and are greatly esteemed at the ta- bles of the luxurious. Wild-briar. See Dog-rose, the Common. Wild-climber, the Great. See Traveller's-joy. W1LDERNE6S. See Maze. Wilding, See Crab-tree. Wild-parsley. See Milk- weed, the Marsh. Wild Pear-tree. See Haw- thorn. Wild-radish. See Radish. Wild-rocket. See Rocket. Wild-tansy. See Silver- weed. WILLOW, or Salix, L. a genus of trees comprising 42 species ; 22 being indigenous, of which the fol- lowing are the principal : 1. The viminnlls. See Osier. 2.'The capreata. SeeSALLow.— Beside the purposes to which this species may be applied, according to our account, p. 13 of the present volume, its soft, flexible, white, and smooth wood, is used for mak- ing handles to hatchets, prongs, spades, and other rural implements : it also furnishes shoe-makers with cutting and tvhetting-hoards, on which they cut leather, and sharp- en the edges of their knives. — In Sweden, the young bark is not only used for tanning, but also, in com- bination with that of the alder-tree, for dyeing linen-yarn of a fine black colour. 3. The purpurea, v. Helix, v. monandra, Rose, Purple, or Red Willow, grows in hedges, wa- tery places, and the sides of rivers, where it blossoms in the month oi April or May. Its long, slender, 2nd flexible shoots, are manufac- tured into baskets, cradles, and other articles of wicker-work.— "iiiis species eminently deserves to WIL [327 be cultivated in the sandy banks of rapid streams ; as it is one of the most useful trees for consolidating loose soils, and even drift-sands. 4. The triandra, or Smooth Willow, grows to the height of from 6 to 10 feet, in moist woods, hedges, and the banks of rivers ; flowers in the month of April. — • Its bark, in doses of from one to two drams, has been successfully employed in agues. 5. The pentandra. Sweet, or Bay-leaved Willow, is found in forests and hedges, principally in the North of England, where it flowers in April. — The wood of this species remarkably crackles in the fire ; the young shoots are eaten by sheep and goats ; the leaves af- ford a yellow dye ; and the pliant branches are converted into ham- pers, or the larger kinds of bask- ets. — For medicinal purposes, the bark from young trees is even pre- ferable to that of the preceding species. — Lastly, the down of h& seeds, when mixed with one-third part of cotton, has been found to be an useful substitute for that vegetable wool, in the manufac- ture of stockings, and other ar- ticles. 6. The vitelUna, Golden, or Yellow Willow, abounds in osier-holts, and flowers in May. Its shoots are used by cradle or basket-makers 3 its white, tough, pliant twigs, are employed by nur- sery men and gardeners, for lying up the branches of wall and espa- lier-trees. — ^The wool surrounding its seed-vessels, when mixed with cotton, aflbrds excellent yarn for various manufa6turing purposes. /.The amygdalina, orALMONO- l£aved Willow, grows on the banks of rivers, where it flowers in April or May j and a second tim9 Y4 ia