Supposed Hybrid of the Black and Shingle Oaks 329 



which, although fewer in number than the Cedar Point specimens 

 show, are equally distinct (plate XIII, fig. 6). Further study 

 of the stems has not been made. 



In considering these observations it must be noted that in 

 respect to leaf characters the Cedar Point trees show wide varia- 

 bility, including differences in form, outUne, lobing, apex, base, 

 and petiole. Accordingly it would be unreasonable to expect that 

 differences might not exist between them and the type tree. 

 Furthermore, an equally wide variabilit\ could be shown to 

 exist in velutina, as found at Cedar Point and elsewhere, and 

 could doubtless be demonstrated for many other oaks. In fact. 



A. Quercus Leanq from Washington, D. C. Branch showing leaves. J. W. 

 Chickering, Jr; X t's- 



B. Quercus Leana from Belleville, 111. Branches showing leaves, flowers and 

 fruit. George Engelmann; X j-j 



if Leana be a hybrid, with velutina in its parentage, it would be 

 altogether reasonable to suppose that the offspring had received 

 this character of instability, along with other qualities in its 

 inheritance. So neither from leaf characters, nor from struc- 

 tural features so far as studied, does evidence appear to preclude 

 the placing of the Cedar point representatives in the same 

 category with Lea's type tree. 



