CHAP, CV. CORYLA‘CEA. QUE'RCUS. 1903 
flexibility, even when dry. Du Hamel observes that the great weight of 
this wood ought not to be considered a defect, even in the construction of 
vessels ; because, if it is employed in the bottoms, it will serve instead of 
ballast ; and, if it is employed on the upper parts, as it is much stronger than 
the common oak, it may be used of small dimensions. He recommends using 
it in preference to that of every other species of oak, wherever it can be ob- 
tained of sufficient size; more especially in cases where it has to resist friction. 
Evelyn says the wood of the ilex is serviceable for many uses ; particularly 
for handles to tools, mallet heads, mall-balls, chairs, axletrees, wedges, beetles, 
pins, and palisadoes in fortifications. It supplies almost all Spain with the 
best and most lasting charcoal. Bradley and others recommend the wood for 
knee-timber for ships; and it has been strongly recommended for all these 
purposes, in a pamphlet by Isaac Weld, Esq. (See Gard. Mag., vol. vi. 
p- 580.) Boutcher recommends the tree for making warm and lofty hedges, 
40 ft. or 50 ft. high, in a short time ; but he does not approve of planting them 
near a house, on account of the litter made by the leaves, when these 
are dropped in April and May. In Cornwall, Q. Ilex is considered preferable 
to every species of the genus for planting near the sea coast, either as an 
ornamental tree there, or for sheltering plantations of the common, or of the 
mossy-cupped, oak. The ilex has been strongly recommended for both these 
re by Mr. Rutger (see Gard. Mag., vol. ix. p. 544.), who refers to St. 
ichael’s Mount (fig. 1782.), which was planted with pinasters, and clothed 
with those trees for about 30 years, when they all began to decline ; and, at 
- 40 years from the time they were planted, there was scarcely a vestige of them 
left. About this time, plants of Q. Ilex were substituted for the pines; 
and these, which have now been planted about seven years, make a very fine 
appearance. In Spain, Captain S. E. Cook informs us, the encinas, or 
evergreen oaks, produce the best timber in the southern and middle regions 
of the Peninsula; but it is, he says, heavy, and unfit for most uses. “ It is 
now, unfortunately, the only fire-wood in most parts of Castile, which is hourly 
diminishing the scanty stock that yet remains. The mode of cutting increases 
the evil; the practice of the peasantry being almost invariably to level the 
whole tract which they attack. The consequence is, that there is a tolerably 
vigorous spring from the stocks. This is soon cut, when a more feeble spring 
6H 
