Class XXI. Order VIII. 351 



of the fruit is thick, somewhat turbinated and not deep. 

 Acorn short and round, with its summit depressed. 



The bark of this oak furnishes the Quercitron used in dying. 

 It is also one of the best species used in the tanning- of leather. 

 The wood is much inferior to that of the white oak, but is often 

 used as a cheaper substitute. 



QUERCUS COCCINEA. Wang. Scarlet Oak. 



Leaves on long petioles, oblong, deeply sinuate, 

 glabrous, the lobes toothed, acute ; cup very scaly ; 

 acorn short, ovate. Mich.f. 



A large species of oak. The leaves are divided into long, 

 acute lobes, by very deep and la.-ge sinuses ; the lobes ending 

 in narrow teeth, which are mucronated with long, bristle shaped 

 points. Both sides of the leaves are of a bright, shining green. 

 The acorn is short and ovate, contained in a cup with prominent 

 scales, and tapering at base. The wood of this species, as well 

 as of the next, is more open and porous, also less durable, than 

 that of the white oak. 



QUERCUS RUBRA. L. Red Oak. 



Leaves on long petioles, glabrous, obtusely sinuate ; 

 cup saucer shaped, nearly smooth ; acorn nearly ovate. 

 Mich. f. 



The red oak is one of the largest of its genus. Its leaves are 

 smooth and shining on both sides, divided into narrow lobes, 

 which end in mucronated teeth, and are separated by wide and 

 rounded sinuses. The acorns are very large, and contained in a 

 remarkably flat, superficial cup, the scales of which are so com- 

 pact as to produce a comparatively smooth surface. 



The foregoing species constitute a considerable portion of the 

 growth in the common woodlands of this vicinity. Their bark 

 is the chief material used in tanning, and is occasionally applied 

 in medicine to the purposes of an astringent and antiseptic. 

 Next to walnut, their wood is esteemed the best fuel, and large 

 quantities are consumed in town, brought from the south shore, 

 the Middlesex canal, and the adjacent country. 



