Class XXI. Order VIII. 



Coarsely divided by longitudinal fissures. Leaves half a foot 

 long, lanceolate, smooth on both sides, with simple, prominent, 

 parallel veins ending in large, pointed teeth at the margin, 

 which are separated by obtuse indentations. Aments'as long as 

 the leaves, yellowish. The calyx investing the fruit forms a 

 large, globular burr, with acute, compound, crowded spines, 

 Nuts two or three, their upper part villous. 



The American Chesnut tree is generally considered a A^ari- 

 ety of the European. Its wood is coarse grained, but light and 

 durable. It is principally employed in fencing, for which use it 

 furnishes one of the best materials. 



263. QUERCUS. 

 QU.ERCUS ALBA. L. White oak. 



Leaves somewhat equally pinnatificl, their seg- 

 ments oblong, obtuse, mostly entire ; cup bowl- 

 shaped, rough with tubercles ; acorn ovate. Mich, 

 abr. 



The white oak has long been recognized among us as one 

 of the most valuable productions of our forests. Its name is 

 derived from the whiteness of the bark, a character by which it 

 may be distinguished at any season of the year. The leaves are 

 divided at their sides into a number of oblong, rounded lobes, 

 which are perfectly obtuse or entire, not terminating in points 

 or bristles. They are acute at base, their under side pale or 

 glaucous, and, when young, pubescent. The acorns are pretty 

 large, ovate, contained in the enlarged calyx, which forms a cup 

 of a hemispherical form, scaly and uneven on the outside. 



The wood of the white oak is superior to any species in the 

 northern states for strength and durability. Its timber is much 

 used in ship building, in frames, in mills, in waggons, ploughs, 

 &c. and for the staves and hoops of casks. The great con- 

 sumption of it for these purposes, has rendered it comparative- 



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