THE OAK. I 



are from 300 to 500 veteran trees in the wood, and, as wo 

 were glad to find, a great number of saplings. 



Two species of Oak are indigenous to Britain, and they 

 have been named by Botanists Quercus Robur, and Quei'cus 

 sessiliJJora. Quercus sessilijiora is distinguished from tho 

 first species by having its fruit almost sessile, or sittiny 

 in groups on the leafy twig, without the intervention 



OAK IX WISTMAX'S WOOD. 



of any proper stalk; whilst Quercus Robur, or Quercus 

 peduncidata, as it is sometimes called, bears its fruit 

 two or three together on a long peduncle, or fruit-stalk. 

 But as this distinction is a modern one, and belongs rather 

 to the naturalist than to the poet or the historian, the 

 names Quercus Robur and Oak, when met with in English 

 books not of a scientific character, must be understood 



