4 THE OAK 
a certain structure and composition, and capable of 
behaving in a definite manner when placed in the 
ground, and under certain circumstances, in virtue of its 
physiological properties and of the action of the en- 
vironment upon its structure. The germinated acorn 
gives rise to the seedling or young oak, and we shall 
proceed to regard this, again, as a subject for botanical 
study. It consists of certain definite parts or organs, 
each with its peculiar structure, tissues, &c., and each 
capable of behaving in a given manner under proper 
conditions. The study of the seedling leads naturally 
to that of the sapling and the tree, and the at first 
comparatively simple root-system, stem, and leaves, now 
become complex and large, and each demands careful 
attention in order that we may trace the steps by which 
the tree is evolved from the plantlet. A section will there- 
fore be devoted to the root-system of the tree, its disposi- 
tion, structure, functions, and accessories; another sec- 
tion will be occupied in describing the trunk, branches, 
buds, and leaves, and their co-relations and functions ; 
the inflorescence and flowers will demand the space of 
another chapter, and then it will be necessary to treat 
of various matters of importance in separate chapters as 
follows :—The timber must ke considered with respect to 
its composition, structure, uses, and functions; then 
the cortex and bark have to be described and their 
origin and development explained. These subjects 
naturally lead to that of the growth in thickness of the 
tree—a matter of some complexity, and not to be under- 
