in Extra-Tropical Countries. 311 



height of about 100 feet, a stem-diameter of 8 feet, and a crown of 

 125 feet breadth. Wood-cutters distinguish two varieties, one with 

 red arid one with pale wood. It grows naturally near the sea, and 

 luxuriates in the deep soil of valleys, but also on the tops of moun- 

 tains. The value of its timber is not fully appreciated. Although 

 brittle when green and perishable if exposed to the weather, it be- 

 comes almost as hard and strong as live-oak, if properly seasoned, 

 and is especially adapted for ships' knees. 



Quercus alba, Linne*.* 



The White or Quebec-Oak. From Canada to Florida, west to 

 Texas. A most valuable timber-tree, becoming fully 100 feet high; 

 diameter of stem to 7 feet, trunk sometimes 65 feet long to first 

 branch. Rate of stem -growth in Nebraska according to Governor 

 Furnas 29 inches circumferentially in 22 years. Attains a great age; 

 succeeds best in rich woodlands; and is of quicker growth than the 

 English oak. The timber is pliable, most durable, one of the very 

 best of all woods for casks, also of first-class value for cabinet-work, 

 for machinery, spokes, naves, beams, plough-handles, agricultural im- 

 plements, carriages, flooring, basket-material (Sargent) and railway- 

 ties (Robb); it is also largely employed in ship-building; the young 

 saplings serve for hoops and whip-handles. The bark contains 

 about 8 per cent, tannin, and is used also in medicine. 



Quercus annulata, Smith. 



Upper India. A large evergreen oak, which provides a very good 

 timber. It does not ascend quite so high as Q. incana. Q. spicata 

 (Smith), another very large Indian oak, ascends only 5,000 feet; it 

 is known also from Borneo, Java and Sumatra. 



Quercus aquatica, Walter. 



North- America. Height of tree often 60 feet; it furnishes a 

 superior bark for tanning. This oak should be chosen for planting 

 in wet ground or for bordering streams. Although the wood is not 

 of much value, yet the tree is a great favorite as a shade-tree, being 

 of rapid growth and fine outline. Prof. C. Koch identified this with 

 the true Q. nigra of Linne. 



Quercus bicolor, Willdenow. 



Southern White-Oak. South-Eastern States of North-America. 

 Closely allied to Q. Prinus, but vernacularly distinguished as Basket- 

 Oak; it thrives best in deep, damp forest-soil, and is regarded as the 

 most important hardwood-tree in the Gulf -region; height reaching 

 120 feet, stem-length to 70 feet. The growth comparatively slow; 

 wood similar in applicability to that of the white oak; it is split 

 readily into thin strips of great strength and flexibility for rough 

 baskets (Dr. C. Mohr). 



Quercus Castanea, Nee. 



The Mexican Chestnut-Oak. Evergreen. It furnishes edible acorns. 



