166 " THE PLANT WORLD. 



part of Cleveland, Logun and Paj'ne counties are covered with this 

 species. It occurs to the north a4ong the Kansas line. The post oak 

 {Quercm minor) and several species of hickory and a few other hard 

 wood trees are also'found in this region. From this main body, which 

 is a western continuation of the Ozark Forest, narrow tongues consist- 

 ing almost entirely of Q. MaryJandica extend from a distance of from- 

 fifty to several hundred miles along the northern slopes of the streams, 

 as indicated above. 



During the past summer while engaged in a geological survey of 

 Oklahoma I had occasion to cross the different streams a number of 

 times, and at various places. I was particularly interested in noting 

 the habitat of this tree, and especially the most western point at which 

 it was to be found on each river. The result is as follows: On the 

 Arkansas a few miles north of Arkansas City, Kans., on Salt Folk, 

 near the Salt plains in northeastern Woods county; on the Cimarron, 

 west of Cloe in western Woods county; on the North Canadian, at 

 Curtis in eastern Woodward county, and on the South Canadian the 

 tree is said to extend through Day county into the panhandle of Texas. 

 A line drawn from the point of entrance into the Territory of Arkansas 

 and South Canadian rivers would mark approximately the northwestern 

 limit of the tree in Oklahoma so far as noticed. I did not observe 

 this species on the Washita. It is improbable that it grows on the 

 upper course of this stream on account of the absence of sand hills. In 

 regard to the Red river I am not able to speak definitely, having never 

 exaniined the locality, but I have been informed that the tree is found 

 there. 



It should not be inferred that jack oaks are to be found at all 

 points to the north of these streams. It often occurs that no trees will 

 be seen for several miles, as for example at the ox-bow bend of the 

 South Canadian at Taloga, but at this place the trees again appear a 

 few miles up the river. 



The sand hills among which these trees grow are ordinarily low, 

 irregular and rounded, enclosing numerous small basin- like depressions 

 which in wet weather sometimes catch water and are converted into 

 miniature lakes. In dry weather these basins are grassy glades and on 

 account of their appearance form pleasing breaks to the monotony of a 

 jack oak thicket. For there is nothing beautiful about a'] jack oak 

 forest. If there is anything- more distressingly monotonous than a 

 day's drive through such a forest it has not been my lot to ran across 



