302 
cific distinctions are obvious. There are also, in addition, a num- 
ber of trees whose place is not so evident, and it becomes a 
question when viewing them as to whether they exhibit more of 
the characters of i/icifolia or nigra. They form, when taken 
together, a series leading from one species to the other, and 
apparently are hybrids resulting from the cross fertilization of 
the two. 
Though these trees vary considerably, individually they resem- 
ble Quercus nigra in being erect and rigid in growth, in their 
short, abruptly tapering branches, and in having the leaves rusty- 
pubescent beneath. They resemble Quercus ilicifolia in being 
small, in their smooth, light-colored bark, and in the retention of 
their dried catkins in abundance throughout the summer. 
Occasionally a Q. nigra will retain its dried catkins in place 
late into the year, but with Q. i/icifolia it is a very usual feature. 
One of the trees that bears the greatest resemblance to Q. 
nigra is erect in growth, about eight feet high, and the leaves 
vary in shape from the nigra form to that of #icifolia. 
They are more rusty-pubescent beneath than wigra, and the 
tree has a lighter appearance, owing principally to the color of its 
bark. Only two or three partly broken cups of last year’s acorns 
remained on its branches, for it bore no fruit this year, but it 
retained its dried catkins in abundance. 
Another tree, that is about six feet tall and has the under sur- 
face of the leaves rusty-pubescent, bore two abortive acorns 
this year, but retained its catkins. Still another tree near by, is 
erect, about six feet tall, and has the leaves whiter beneath 
than the last. It bore no acorns, but, like the other trees, 
retained its catkins. None of the remaining trees so far discov- 
ered, the tallest of which is fourteen feet high, bore any fruit at 
all this year, 
At the other end of the island, at Rossvi!le and Tottenville, 
Quercus nigra grows abundantly, but Quercus ilicifolia is absent, 
and a diligent search at these places resulted in the discovery of 
no such trees as those to be found at Watchogue. 
The last edition of Gray’s Manual contains a list of hybrid 
oaks, from which it appears that Quercus nigra gives rise, as One 
of the parents, to two forms, Thus it is known to cross with the 
