Class XXI. Order VIII. 



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

 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 OOCCINEA. 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 large sinuses ; the lobes ending 

 in narrow teeth, which are mucronated with long, bristle shap- 

 ed^ 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 spe- 

 cies, 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 sin- 

 uate ; 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 arc so 

 compact as to produce a comparatively smooth surface, 



The foregoing speecies 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 anti- 

 septic. 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. 



