Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/362

328&#93; !>2.^1 WIL Jrt August. — The tough branches of thi>i species are employed like those of the preceding. 8. The frag'di^, or Crack Wil- low, attains a considerable height in moist woods, hedges, and on the banks of rivers ; it blossoms in April or May. — ^This tree grows with uncommon luxuriance, and will admit of being cropped every year : it has received this name from the remarkable brirtlcness of its branches ; which, if strickeji with a finger, break off at the shoot of the cnrrent year. The bark of these branches, possessing uncommon bitterness and astrin- ^ency, has been reommended as a substitute for the Peruvian : it i? certainly preferable to that of all other native trees ; and, if given in doses about one-third exceeding the proportion of such expensive drug, it may, with advantan^e, be used where the latter is indicated. "When administered in powders, of fi'oni one to two drams, it has also proved efficacious in removing in- termittent fevers. On account of it's early blossoms, which are very grateful to bees, it should be raised near their hives : — a decoftion of the roots imparts a reddi«h-browni colour. 9. The herlacea, or Herba- ceous Willow, is the smallest tree of the willow-kind ; its stem not exceeding 2 feet in height, and the branches being scarcely onefoot long. It grows in moist, moun- tainous situations, chiefly on the sides of Snowdon, and the moun- tains of Westmoreland, Yorkshire, and Scotland j where its yellow ilowers appear in July.— This spe- cies is, according to Hoffmann, fondly eaten by horses and other cattle, 10. The rubra, or Red Wit- WiL LOW, is a very scare* species, bid- ing found wild only in the Osier-^ holt l)etw(:en ^iaidenhea'd anri Windsor : it flowers in the month of May. There is a variety of it^ known uncU-r the names of the Norfolk, Hertford, Hereford, and Broad-leaved, Red-hearted Hnn- tinc:;donshire Willow, which may advantageously be planted in moist situations, on a'^count of the luxu- riance and rapidity nf it« growth. Tne tough, li.;ht wood of this tree is employed for crates, hiirdles, and other agricultural implements : the pliant twigs are in great request for making baskets, cradles, and also for tying up wall fruit-trees. 11. The cinerea, or Sallow- wiLLoW) is the most common of the kind, abounding in moist hf-dge-rows, and woods ; where it attains the height of more tiian six feet, and blossoms in April.— This species is chiefly remarkable for its beautiful flowering branches, which are gathered about a week or ten days before Easter, and .sold under the name of palms. 12 Tlie aIf:o, Whitk, or Com- mon Willow, abounds in woods, hedge-rows, in wet meadow, and pasture-grounds, where it attains a considerable size ; flowering in the month of April. — Its blossoms are eagerly visited by bees ; its leaves and young shoots are eaten by horses, cow.s, sheep, and goats :— the wood is einployed in making poles, hoops for casks, stakes, and liktroisc for hid : — the bark com- municates a cinnamon colour to yarn, and is not only advanta- geously used in tanning leather, but has hIso, like that of the Crack and Smooth Willows, been suc- cessfully administered in agues.-— The Rev. Mr. Stone C" Philoso- phical Transaflions of the . Roi/rI Socicti^,"