IN EXTRA-TROPICAL COUNTRIES. 275 



obtainable from the bark of apple and pear trees, particularly from 

 that of the root ; while a volatile alkaloid namely, trimethylamin 

 can be prepared from the flowers. 



Pyrus Japonica, Thunberg. 



Japan. One of the prettiest of small hedge-bushes. Under 

 favourable circumstances it will produce its quince-like fruit. 



Pyrus nivalis, Jacquin. 



The Snow Pear. Middle and South Europe. This would be adapted 

 for orchards in higher mountain regions. The fruit becomes soft 

 and edible through exposure to snow. P. amygdaliformis (Villars) 

 is probably the wild state of this tree. 



Pyrus salicifolia, Linne. 



Greece, Turkey, Persia, South- West Russia. Though its fruit, 

 which slowly mollifies, is edible, this tree is mainly utilised as a 

 superior stock for grafting. 



Quercus .ZEgilops, Linne.* 



South Europe, also Syria. A nearly evergreen tree of the size of 

 the British Oak. The cups, known as Valonia, used for tanning 

 and dyeing ; the unripe acorns, as Camata or Camatena, for the 

 same purpose. Valonia is mainly exported from Smyrna to 

 London (33,802 tons in 1876). Greece used to produce annually 

 10,000 tons, worth up to .18 per ton. The supply is inadequate 

 to present demand. Valonia (Wallones) produces a rich bloom 011 

 leather, which latter also becomes less permeable to water (Muspratt). 

 The ripe acorns are eaten raw or boiled. The tree is also recom- 

 mendable as a fine avenue tree. It bears considerable frost. The 

 wood is capital for furniture. 



Quercus agrifolia, Nee. 



California and Mexico. One of the most magnificent among ever- 

 green Oaks, with dense, wide-spreading foliage. The thick bark 

 available for tanning (C. Hoffmann). According to Dr. Gibbons 

 this tree attains a height of 100 feet, a stem diameter of 8 feet, 

 and a crown 125 feet in diameter. Wood-cutters distinguish two 

 varieties, one with red and one with white wood. It grows near 

 the sea, and luxuriates in deep soil of valleys and also on the tops 

 of mountains. The value of its timber is not fully appreciated. 

 Although brittle when green and perishable if exposed to the 

 weather, it become almost as hard and strong as Live Oak if 

 properly seasoned, and is especially adapted for ships' knees. 



