NAT. ORDER. 



AmentacecB. 



QUERCUS ROBUR. COMMON OAK, 



Class XXI. MoRCECiA. Order VI. Polyandria. 



Gen. Char. Calyx generally five cleft. Corolla none. Stamens five 

 to ten. 



Si)c. Char. Leaves oblong, glabrous, sinuate. Lobes rounded. Fruit 

 oblong. 



The Oak is a native of North America, a very valuable tree, and 

 one of the largest of the forest ; it frequently attains the height of 

 from seventy to one hundred feet ; its trunk is covered with a thick 

 bark of a dark brown colour. It flowers in April, and the fruit 

 ripens in October. The acorns are round, flattened at the tojD, and 

 placed in a saucer-shaped cup. It sends off numerous strong branches. 

 The haves are oblong, deeply sinuated, and form obtuse lobes ; they 

 are of a deep greenish colour. The Jlowcrs are small and yellow. 



This extensive genus comprises not less than eighty species, of 

 which not less than thirty or forty are found Avithin the limits of the 

 United States, and in many, places comprise the largest portion of the 

 timbered land, and is too well known to need further description. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The Oak bark has long been 

 esteemed as a powerful and useful astringent and tonic. It is highly 

 recommended in obstinate cases of diarrhoea, and chronic forms of dys- 

 entery ; also in leucorrhcea and other chronic serous discharges de- 

 pending on debility and relaxation of the secreting vessels. 



The decoction may also be employed with advantage as an in- 



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