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 ot 

 another chapter, and then it will be necessary to treat 

 of various matters of importance in separate chapters as 

 follows : The timber must be 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- 



