Note 13 — PART II. BRITISH FOREST TREES USED AS NAVAL TIMBER.

It is termed by our professors Salix fragilis, or Crack Willow, from the small branches breaking easily at the junction of the annual growth—or, perhaps, Crack Willow, from the branches breaking with considerable report; or from the wood, while burning, frequently detonating or crackling, from the expansion of some aërial fluid within the fibres. Though named by their sapience fragilis, it is not weaker than other large growing willows, but stronger and denser; and, being harder in the small branches, they do not bend, but break when their bark and alburnum is driest, in winter. The timber is superior to that of Salix alba, or of any other large growing willow we are acquainted with, and is sufficiently pliant and tough.