COMMUNICATIONS. 



233 



81. Quercus alba, of Linnceus. — WJiite Oak. 



This species is known from the others by its light colored 

 bai"k, (whence the name ;) the leaves are smooth, pale or glau- 

 cus below, bright green above, obliquely and deeply cut into 



(from three to five) ob- 

 long-linear entire obtuse 

 lobes. The acorns are 

 oblong, and much longer 

 than the hemispherical 

 cup. This is the most 

 valuable of our oaks, and 

 at the same time one of 

 the most abundant. — 

 Xext to the White Pine 

 it may be regarded as the 

 laost useful of our native 

 forest trees. The hard- 

 ness, strength and dura- 

 bility of the wood make 

 it the most suitable for 

 ship-building, and for all 

 structures where strength 

 POST-OAK. is required. 



32. Quercus prinos, of lAnnodus. — Swamp Chestnut Oak. 



The leaves resemble those of the Chestnut tree, (wlience the 

 name,) being obovate, acute, downy beneath, coarsely serrate, 

 with nearly uniform rounded teeth; not ]obed. The acorn is 

 large, in a somewhat top-shaped cup. This is quite a rare tree 

 in Wisconsin. 



33. Quercus hicolor, of Willdenoiv. — Swamp White Oak. 



Eesembles the White Oak, but is only found along the boiders 

 of marshes or wet grounds. It may always be known by its 

 oblong or obovate leaves, coarsely and irregularly sinuate-tooth- 

 ed, but not lobed ; they are wedge-shaped below, and on short 

 2b 



