cupuLiFERiE. SILVA OF NORTH AMERICA. 



185 



The only American representative of a peculiar group of Asiatic trees in which are combined the 

 characters of the Oak and the Chestnut^ Qitercits densiflora is^ from the point of view of botanical 

 geography and botanical archaeology, one of the most interesting inhabitants of the forests of the 

 United States- No Oak-tree, moreover, of western North America excels the best representatives of 

 this species in massive beauty/ in symmetry of outline, or in richness of color ; and in early spring the 

 elongated tender shoots and unfolding leaves coated with bright hairs, appearing Hke masses of flowers 

 against the dark background of foliage, light up the dark coniferous forests where the Tan Bark Oak 

 finds its most congenial home. 



tions, but the shoots which spring profusely from the stumps and ^ See Garden and Forest^ v. 617, f- 89. 



grow with remarkable vigor will prevent the extermination of the 



species. 



