Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 443 



Pyrus salicifolia, Linn& 



Greece, Turkey-, Persia, South- Western Russia. Hardy at Chris- 

 tiania. Though its fruit, which softens slowly, is edible, this tree is 

 mainly utilised as a superior stock for grafting. 



Pyrus Sorbus, Gaertner. 



Countries at the Mediterranean Sea in mountain-regions. Finally 

 a conspicuous tree, with a stem occasionally of 12 feet circumference 

 [Prof. C. Koch]. The fruit when softened by age can be consumed 

 like that of the medlar [Prof. Naudin]. It serves also for the pre- 

 paration of a kind of cider. 



Quercus JEgilops, Linn&* 



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, called Camata or Camatena, for the same 

 purpose. Valonia is largely exported from Smyrna to London. 

 Greece used to produce annually 10, 000 tons, worth as much as 18 

 per ton. The supply is inadequate to present demand. 31,376 tons 

 of Valonia, worth about 454,630, were imported into the United 

 Kingdom in 1889. Valonia (Wallones) produces a rich bloom on 

 leather, which latter also becomes less permeable to water [Muspratt]. 

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

 mended as a fine avenue-tree. It bears considerable frost and is 

 hardy in the lowlands of England. The wood is capital for furniture. 

 A large plantation of this tree should be a very valuable property 

 and inheritance, as the yield would not impair the continued growth 

 of the tree. The acorns require for ripening the second year. Dr. 

 Kotschy separates Q. ^Egilops into several species, of which Q. 

 Graeca, Q. oophora, Q. Ungeri and Q. Vallonea yield the mercantile 

 article. 



Quercus agrifolia, 



California and Mexico. One of the most magnificent and pic- 

 turesque among evergreen oaks, with dense, wide-spreading foliage. 

 Comparatively slow of growth. The thick bark available for tan- 

 ning. According to Dr. Gibbons this tree attains a height of about 

 100 feet, a stem-diameter of 8 feet and a ramification of 125 feet 

 breadth. Foliage nearly or quite persistent. Woodcutters dis- 

 tinguish two varieties, one with red and one with pale wood. It 

 grows naturally near the sea, and luxuriates in the deep soil of 

 valleys, but also on the tops on mountains. The value of its timber 

 is not fully appreciated. Although brittle when green and perishable 

 if exposed to the weather, it becomes almost as hard and strong as 

 live-oak, if properly seasoned, and is especially adapted for ships' 

 knees. 



