OAK 



OAK 



293 



state of these animals may serve to 

 remind mankind of the manner of 

 their existence, first in mortal bo- 

 dies, then in a state of death, after- 

 wards possessed of glorious bodies. 

 In their aurelian state, these ani- 

 mals have no vital motion, but are 

 to all appearance dead. So that in 

 their last state of existence, insects 

 have,as it were,resurrection bodies. 



O. 



OAK, Quercus, a well known 

 tree, the timber of which is of great 

 use and importance in ship build- 

 ing, and architecture, and is valua- 

 ble for fuel and many other purpo- 

 ses. The timber is both strong and 

 durable. 



!VIr. Miller reckons eighteen spe- 

 cies of the quercus, or oak. I 

 know of but five that grow in this 

 country, unless the swamp white 

 oak, so called on account of its 

 growing in wet swamps, may be a 

 distinct species from that which 

 grows on the upland. 



The first and best is the white 

 oak, Quercus alba, which bears a 

 long shaped, small and pleasant 

 tasted acorn. The bark is of a very 

 light ash colour. The timber is 

 more strong, and far more durable 

 than the other kinds. Staves for 

 casks, made of this tree, bear a 

 higher price than any other. As it 

 does not soon decay, the farmers 

 find it convenient to have their 

 wheels, carts, ploughs, and several 

 other implements of husbandry, 

 made of this timber. The but^ends 

 of the trees which have grown in 

 pastures, are commonly found to be 



extremely tough,and are most fit for 

 the naves andspokesof cartwheels. 



The black oak, Quercus nigra, 

 has a very dark coloured, hard and 

 rough outer bark. The inner bark 

 is of a bright yellow colour, and 

 may be used to advantage in dies. 

 Little or none of this oak is found 

 in the District of Maine. Of all 

 the kinds of oak produced in our 

 country, this is esteemed the best 

 for fuel, as it will burn freely in its 

 green state : But it is not so much 

 prized for timber as some other 

 sorts. 



The grey oak is next in quality 

 to the white for building. The red, 

 Quercus rubra, which is so called 

 from the colour of its wood,an8wers 

 well for staves, especially formolas- 

 ses hogsheads. But as it is not a last- 

 ing timber, it is more proper for 

 fuel ; and for the last purpose, it 

 does not answer well in its green 

 state. The acorns of the grey and 

 red oak, are much larger than those 

 of the white. The leaves are also 

 larger, and very deeply sinuated. 

 They are probably not different 

 species of theoak.but only varieties. 



The last kind, and the meanest 

 I of all, is the dwarf, or shrub oak, it 

 '. being fit for neither fuel nor timber. 

 It is always crooked and small, and 

 seldom rises to the height often 

 feet. It delights in a poor soil,and 

 overruns many of our sandy and 

 gravelly plains. It has a strong 

 root, which will continue to send 

 up new shoots, though they are cut 

 off yearly ; so that there is no ef- 

 fectual way to subdue them, but by 

 grubbing them, or pasturing goats 

 upon them. 



As all the kinds of oak bear fruit. 



