1738 



ARBORKTUM AND FRUTICETUM. 



PART 111. 



ing which name Mr. Atkinson ol)servcs (Ilort. Trans., 2d s., vol. i. p. 3;ifi.), 

 that the woodmen in the New Forest call all the oaks that have dark- 

 colonred acorns dunmast (of which word durmast is supi)osed to be a cor- 

 ruption); and that dun-coioiire<l acorns arc found both on (^. pcdunculuta 

 and Q. sessiliHora. A variety of (2- sessilitlura was found by Mr. Borrtr 

 in North Devon, with large leaves, ol)li(|ue at 

 the apex, as shown in //:,'. I;j7+. These leaves 

 are not quite so long as those of one of Mr. 

 Bree's varieties (_/?i(. 1 jH^.), wliich diHl-rfrom 

 Mr. Borrer's in being [)ointed at the apex. 

 The only account which we are aware of, that 

 has been given of other British varieties of (^. 

 sessiliHora, is tiiat by the Rev. W. T. ]irce, 

 in the (hirdcncrs i\Li^azinc, vol. xii. p. 571. 

 The varieties there mentioned were all found 

 at Corley, in the parish of AUesley. Mr. 

 Brec's comnumication was accompanied by 

 15 dried si)ecimens, 5 of which we have 

 figured, and the rest shortly described. 



" When you examine these specimens," Mr. Brce observes, " I think 

 you will come to the conclusion that our two so-called species of oak are 

 mere varieties; but, though there arc sessile oaks bearing fruit on pe- 

 duncles, and pedunculated oaks bearing almost sessile fruit, there is yet 

 a certain undescribablc something about the trees, by means of which I can 

 always distinguish each, without minutely examining either the acorns or 

 the leaf-stalks. There is little dift'crence in the general form and outline of 

 the two trees when full grown ; but young seedlings of Q. sessiliHora bear 

 their leaves close to the stem, and not on footstalks ; so that, in this stage 

 of their growth, it is difficult to distinguish them from Q. pcdunculata. 

 Q. sessiliHora generally bears small acorns ; but it sometimes produces very 

 fine large ones. The acorns, when ripe, have very generally a red or pinkish 

 tinge ; so that, in nine cases out often, they are distinguished by looking at 

 the fallen acorns only." The specimens which accompanied Mr. Bree's 

 communication are thus described : — 



" Q. s. 1. — Acorns large, ovate, quite sessile, and growing in clusters of four or five. Leaves 



from 5 in. to 5^ in. in length. 

 " Q. s. 2. — Acorns large, quite sessile, and growing singly, or in clusters of two or three, as in 



" the preceding specimen, but closer together on the branches. 

 " Q. s. 3. — V'cry large leaves, and very small long acorns ; one of the latter sessile, arid the other 



with a lootstalk, of about 3-SUi in. in length 

 " Q. s. 4 Acorns of three times the diameter of 



those of the last specimen, and about twice 

 their length. 



' Q. s. .'i. — Acorn.<i with a short peilunde. Two 

 ^ specimens from the same tree. In one 

 specimen, the peduncles arc 1 in. long ; 

 in the other, scarcely j in. The form of 

 the leaves, their yellowish green and long 

 footstalks, and the large buds in their 

 axils, leave no doubt whatever of these 

 specimens belonging to (i. sessitiflbra. 



' O. s. ti. Acorns single, or in clusters of from 



two to live, on peduncles varying from 

 1 in. to 1 in. in length. One of the pe- 

 duncles has an abortive sessile acorn at 

 its base; two acorns, ab<mt ^ in. from 

 each other on its length ; and its extremity 

 terminates in a large well-forme<l leaf-bud. 

 The acorns are long, and very much re- 

 semble those of a. pcdunculata. 



' O. i. 7 Acorns small and round, sessile in 



~ some cases, but with short footstalks in 

 others ; the leaves of a darker green, ap- 

 proaching nearer to those of (i. peduncu- 

 l.ita than in the case of any of the pre- 

 ceding specimens; though, from their 

 .ippcarance, long footst;ilks, and large 

 buds, there cm be no doubt of their be- 

 longing to (i. sessiliflftra. 



' Q. s. S.— Leaves but little laciniatcd, and re- 

 sembling those of a. pcdunculftla ; broad, 

 with long footstalks, pale green. (Sec Jig. 1J75.) 



1 j7.> 



