CHAP. CV. 



CORYLA^CE^E. (JUe'rCUS. 



189.'^ 



1769 



abundant, as the lar2;est tree seldom yields more than a few pints. This oak 

 varies very much from soil and climate. In Virginia, which is its most 

 northern habitat, the tree is only 40 ft. or 45 ft. high ; and its haves, which 

 vary exceedingly, but are generally wedge-shaped, drop at the first frost. In 

 the inland parts of the southern states, the tree attains its largest size ; but 

 on the sea coast it becomes dwarfish, and the leaves persistent ; they fretjuently 

 remaining on the tree for two or three years. In the Carolinas, Georgia, and 

 East Florida, it is most abundant; and it is always found in the stagnant pools 

 and narrow swamps enclosed in the pine barrens. It is one of the Ame- 

 rican oaks mentioned by Catesby, and was cultivated in Fairchild's Nursery 

 before the year 1 723. Asa ^^i^ 



useful tree, it has no recom- 

 mendations : the wood is 

 tough ; but it decays so soon, 

 that it is never used in Ame- 

 rica, where it is not esteemed 

 even for fuel. The bark con- 

 tains some tannin ; but it is 

 considered so inferior to that 

 of other oaks, that it is never 

 used by the tanners ; and the 

 acorns are so bitter, that even \^ 

 pigs will not eat them. When 

 young, the tree is frequently 

 attacked by the larva of a 

 moth, considered by Abbott 

 and Smith as identical with 

 the English PhaWna (Clisio- 

 campa) neiistria L. Si/st.Nnt., 

 818., Smith and Ahh. Lis., t. 

 .59. ; and our/g. 1 769. This 

 insect is extremely abundant 

 both in Europe and America ; 

 and in the latter country it is often found in such quantities in the larva state 

 as entirely to strip the oak on which it feeds of leaves. There are trees of Q.> 

 aquatica in the HorticulturalSociety's Garden ; and numerous young plants for 

 sale in the nursery ground occupied by Mr. Charlwood of Coveiit Garden 

 Market. 



* 23. Q. zlicifo'lia Wang. The Holly-leaved, or Bear, Oak. 



Identification. Wang. Amer., 79. t. 6. f. 17. ; WiUd. Sp PL, 4. p. 44X ; Ait. Hort. Kew., ed. 2., 5- 



p. 292. ; Smith in Uees's Cycl., No. 66. 

 Synonymes. (i. Banistcri Michx. Quer., No. IS., N. Du Ham., 7. p. 173., Pursh Fl. Amer. Sept., 



2. p." 631.;; ? Q. aquatica Abbott and Smith Ins., 2. p. l.'J7. ; Black Scrub Oak, Dwarf red Oak, A?ner. 

 Engravings. Wang. Amer., t 6. f. 17. ; ? Abb. Ins., 2. t. 79. ; N. Amer. Syl., 1. p. 21. ; and our 



Jig. 1770. 



Spec. Char., Sfc. Leaves obovate-wedge-shaped, with 3 or 3 deep bristle- 

 pointed lobes, entire; downy beneath. Fruit stalked, in pairs. (JVi/ZJ.) 

 A shrub, or low tree, from 3 ft. to 10 ft. high. Introduced in 1800. 

 Description, Sfc. This very remarkable little tree is generally found about 

 3 ft. or 4 ft. high ; but, in favourable situations, it is sometimes found to reach 

 the height of 8 ft. or 10 ft. *' It usually grows in compact masses, which are 

 traversed with difhculty, though no higher than the waist. As the individuals 

 which compose them are of a uniform height, they form so even a surface, 

 that, at a distance, the ground appears to be covered with grass, instead of 

 shrubs." (jN\ Amer. Syl., i. p. 83.) The trunk, which is much confined, is co- 

 vered, like the branches, with a polished bark. It has more strength than 

 would be supposed from its size, which is rarely more than 1 in. in diameter. 

 The leaves are of a dark green on the upper surface, whitish beneath, and 

 regularly divided into 3 or 5 lobes. The acorns are small, bliickish, and lon- 



C o 4 



