364 



THE OAK FAMILY. 



As regards the leaves, in all but those of the walnut family, they are 

 simple, and it is only in the oaks and a few others that they are in 

 any degree divided. 



The Oak Family is distinguished from the remainder of the Amen- 

 taceaj, by the large and nut-like fi-uit being seated in a leafy or woody 

 cup or "cvipule," from which it often projects a considerable distance, 

 as in the case of the common acorn. The perianth is adherent to the 

 ovary, and consequently lifted, in effect, on to its summit. The lateral 

 or secondai-y veins of the leaves very often proceed straight from the 

 mid-rib to the margin, and form beautiful parallel lines, as in Fig. 186. 

 No family is of more importance, nor does it require for its value to be 



Fig. 189. 

 Common Oak. 



understood that more be said of it than is conveyed in the names oak, 

 beech, chesnut, hazle, and filbert. Cork for the stoppers of bottles; 

 galls for the manufacture of ink ; valonia and bark for the use of the 

 tanner ; along with many other invaluable articles of commerce, are 

 the gifts of different species, while others yield magnificent timber, and 

 while alive and growing arc among the most superb and aristocratic 

 productions of nature, whether looked at in the emerald pride of 

 summer, or in autumn, when richly " distaincd with dusky gold." Over 

 two hundred and fifty species have been discriminated, the whole 

 growing spontaneously in the forests of the temperate parts of the 

 northern hemisphere. Six are indigenous to Bi-itaiu, and all occur, 

 cither wild or as settlers, about Manchester. 



