36 WEST AMERICAN OAKS. 



mer time, referred to Q. dumosa, seems to present some peculiarities over and above its 

 spicate fructification, which I at first overlooked. It must certainly take varietal or sub- 

 specific rank and may be named Quercus diimosa^ var. polycarpa. It is entirely devoid of 

 the usual pendulous staminate aments : all the flowers are perfect and borne in erect spikes: 

 leaves larger than in the type, scarcely tomentose, least of all upon the upper surface, and 

 equally reticulate upon both faces, or even more conspicuously so above than beneath. 

 Perhaps this last named mark should carry it up to the rank of a species. The erect in- 

 florescence and androgynous flowers can hardly be allowed to argue a specific difference, 

 since upon the same island Quercus agrifolia, as I have indicated on a former page, varies 

 from its type in precisely the same fashion. 



In the Botany of the Mexican Boundary, under Q. acutt'dens, mention is made of trees 

 twenty feet high. I have no doubt that all the arborescent examples hitherto referred to 

 Q. dumosa belong to that South Californian deciduous tree which I have placed as a variety 

 under Q. MacDonaldt, and which I almost expect will at length be found a distinct spe- 

 cies. 



The Plate of Q. acutidens in the Botany of the Boundary represents only a vigorous 

 and rather large-leaved Q. dumosa and is, in so far as I can learn, the only figure of the 

 species which has, until now, been published. 



