39 



The acorns are eaten by the Indians. 



Q. alba Linn. White Oak. 



Northeast America. The dried acorns are macerated in water for 

 food by the natives on the Roanoke. Acorns were dried and boiled for 

 food by the Narragansetts. Oak acorns were mixed with their pottage 

 by the Indians of Massachusetts. Baskets full of parched acorns, hid 

 in the ground, were discovered by the Pilgrims December 7, 1620. 

 White oak acorns were boiled for "oyl" by the natives of New England. 

 The fruit of some trees is quite pleasant to the taste, especially when 

 roasted. 



Q. cocci f era Linn. Kermes Oak. 



Mediterranean region. The acorns were used as food by the an- 

 cients. 



Q. cornea Lour. 



China. The acorns are used for food. I>oudon says the acorns are 

 ground into a paste in China, which, mixed with the flour of corn, 

 is made into cakes. 



Q. Emoryi Torr. 



Western North America. This tree furnishes acorns, which are 

 used by the Indians of the West as a food. 



Q. Garry ana Dougl. W^estern Oak. 



Western North America. The acorns furnish the Indians with food 

 and are stored by them for future use. 



Q. ilex Linn, including Q. ballota. Ballota, Bellot, or Belote Oak. 

 Holly Oak. 



Mediterranean region and the Orient. From varieties of this tree, 

 says Mueller, are obtained the sweet and nourishing ballota and chest- 

 nut acorns. Figuier says this species is common in the south of France, 

 and that the acorns are sweet and eatable. Brandis says the acorns 

 form an important article of food in Spain and Algeria. The acorns 

 are eaten in Barbary, Spain and Portugal under the name of belote. 

 In Arabia, also, they are eaten cooked, and an oil is extracted from 

 them. In Palestine, they are sold in all the bazaars. 



Q. lobata Nee. California W'hite Oak. 



California. The acorns form a large proportion of the winter food 

 of the Indians of North California. The acorns, from their abundance 

 and edible nature, form a very important part of the subsistence of the 

 Digger Indians and are collected and stored for winter use. 



Q. Michaiixii Nutt. Q. Prinus. Basket Oak. Cow Oak. 



