in Extra-Tropical Countries. 317 



New South Wales. The long continued adherence of dead leaves in 

 the cool and most verdant season renders this oak not so well adapted 

 for pleasure-grounds in the warmer parts of the temperate zone as 

 many others, particularly evergreen oaks. The English oak is how- 

 ever of quicker growth than many other species. At Port Phillip it 

 attains to a height of 40-50 feet in 20 years. The galls, produced by 

 Cynips calicis, are sought for particular tanning, and called in Ger- 

 many Knoppern. The best oak-bark for tanning is obtained from 

 trees 12-36 years old (Prof. Wiesner). 



Quercus rubra, Linne. 



The Red-Oak of Eastern North- America. Height reaching about 

 100 feet; diameter of stem 4 feet. A tree, content with poor soil. 

 The wood, though coarse, is of rigidity, and has not the fault of 

 warping ; it is of fair value for staves (Simmonds), and even 

 building purposes, but variable in quality according to soil and clime 

 (Sargent). The bark is rich in tannin. Autumnal tint of foliage 

 beautifully red. The acorns, which are produced in great abundance, 

 are relished by hogs. The tree is hardy still at Christiania. Cir- 

 cumferential stem-measurement at 2 feet from the ground after 22 

 years about 38 inches (Furnas). 



Quercus semecarpifolia. Smith. 



In the Himalayas and adjoining ranges up to about 10,000 feet. 

 The largest of the oaks of India, upwards of 100 feet high, with a 

 stem often 18 feet in girth. Leafless annually for a short time, not 

 quick of growth. It furnishes a hard and heavy timber of fair 

 quality. 



Quercus serrata, Thunberg.* 



One of the twenty-three known Japanese Oaks; extending to 

 China and Nepal. Hardy in Middle Europe. A good avenue-tree, 

 though deciduous. It yields the best food for the Oak-silkworm 

 (Bombyx Yamamai). It is recommended to pack acorns intended for 

 far distances in wooden cases between dry moss or sand, to secure 

 retention of vitality; moreover they must be quite fresh, when 

 packed. 



Quercus sideroxyla, Humboldt. 



Mountains of Mexico, up to about 8,000 feet elevation. An oak 

 of great size; timber compact, almost imperishable in water. Q. 

 lanceolata, Q. chrysophylla, Q. reticulata, Q. laurina, Q. obtusata, 

 Q. crassipes, Q. glaucescens, Q. Xalapensis, Humb. and Q. acutifolia^ 

 Nee, are among the many other highly important timber-oaks of the 

 cooler regions of Mexico. No printed record seems extant, concerning 

 the technology of the numerous Mexican oaks, though doubtless 



- their respective values are well known to local artisans. According 

 to the Abbe and Surgeon Liturgie, one of the Mexican oaks, near 

 San Juan, nourishes a Bombyx the cocoons of which are spun by the 

 natives into silk (Tschichatchef). 



