88 THE OAK. 
The variety to be observed in trees is not so great 
as in other plants; but in the same forest a considera 
ble number of kinds may be seen that are entirely 
different, even of such as are commonly known by 
the same name. Thus, what is termed Oak, often 
consists of eight or ten varieties, such as Black-oak, 
White-oak, Chestnut-oak, Pin- 
oak, Willow-oak, Red-oak, Scar- 
let-oak, Spanish-oak, Post-oak, 
&e. &c. These all differ, not 
only in the formation of their 
leaves and fruit, but there is a 
marked difference in their man- 
ner of growth, and the wood 
of each possesses its own pecu- 
liar properties. Within the limits 
White-Oak. of the United States, there are no 
less than thirty or forty varieties of this useful tree; 
some are quite small, growing only to the height of 
two or three feet; but by far the largest number are 
lofty trees, with wide-spreading branches. Let us 
here stop and pick up an acorn which has fallen from 
one of these, and examine its wonderful construction, 
and compare its tiny proportions with the majestic 
plant that bore it, and the counterpart of which it is 
destined to produce. Hnecased within that bony co- 
vering lie hid all the essential parts of the infant 
tree, perfect and complete; roots, stem, leaves and 
buds. 
The germ of the future plant is placed at one end 
of the acorn, and although of so delicate and fragile 
