1738 



ARBORETUM AND FRUT1CETUM. 



PART 111. 





ing which name Mr. Atkinson observes (Hort. Tram., 2d s., vol. i. p. 336.), 

 that the woodmen in the New Forest call all the oaks that have dark- 

 coloured acorns dunmast (of which word durmast is supposed to be a cor- 

 ruption); and that dun-coloured acorns are found both on Q. pedunculata 

 and Q. sessilifldra. A variety of Q. sessiliflora was found by Mr. Borrer 

 in North Devon, with large leaves, oblique at 

 the apex, as shown in fig. 1574. These leaves 

 are not quite so long as those of one of Mr. 

 Bree's varieties (fig. 1584.), which differ from 

 Mr. Borrer's in being pointed at the apex. 

 The only account which we are aware of, that 

 has been given of other British varieties of Q. 

 sessiliflora, is that by the Rev. W. T. Bree, 

 in the Gardener's Magazine, vol. xii. p. 571. 

 The varieties there mentioned were all found 

 at Corley, in the parish of Allesley. Mr. 

 Bree's communication was accompanied by 



15 dried specimens, 5 of which we have M 1571 



figured, and the rest shortly described. 



" When you examine these specimens," Mr. Bree observes, " I think 

 you will come to the conclusion that our two so-called species of oak are 

 mere varieties; but, though there are sessile oaks bearing fruit on pe- 

 duncles, and pedunculated oaks bearing almost sessile fruit, there is yet 

 a certain undescribable something about the trees, by means of which I can 

 always distinguish each, without minutely examining either the acorns or 

 the leaf-stalks. There is little difference in the general form and outline of 

 the two trees when full grown ; but young seedlings of Q. sessiliflora bear 

 their leaves close to the stem, and not on footstalks ; so that, in this stage 

 of their growth, it is difficult to distinguish them from Q. pedunculata. 

 Q. sessiliflora generally bears small acorns ; but it sometimes produces very 

 fine large ones. The acorns, when ripe, have very generally a red or pinkish 

 tinge ; so that, in nine cases out of ten, they are distinguished by looking at 

 the fallen acorns only." The specimens which accompanied Mr. Bree's 

 communication are thus described : 



" Q. s. 1. Acorns large, ovate, quite sessile, and growing in clusters of four or five. Leaves 

 from 5 in. to 5f in. in length. 



" Q. s. 2. Acorns large, quite sessile, and growing singly, or in clusters of two or three, as in 

 the preceding specimen, but closer together on the branches. 



" Q. s. 3 Very large leaves, and very small long acorns ; one of the latter sessile, and the other 

 with a footstalk, of about 3-8th in. in length 



" Q. s. 4 Acorns of three times the diameter of 

 those of the last specimen, and about twice 

 their length. 



" Q. s. 5. Acorns with a short peduncle. Two 

 specimens from the same tree. In one 

 specimen, the peduncles are 1 in. long ; 

 in the other, scarcely | in. The form of 

 the leaves, their yellowish green and long 

 footstalks, and the large buds in their 

 axils, leave no doubt whatever of these 

 si>ecimens belonging to Q. sessiliflbra. 



" Q. s. 6. Acorns single, or in clusters of from 

 two to five, on peduncles varying from 

 | in. to 1 in. in length. One of the pe- 

 duncles has an abortive sessile acorn at 

 its base ; two acorns, about in. "from 

 each other on its length ; and its extremity 

 terminates in a large well-formed leaf-bud. 

 The acorns are long, and very much re- 

 semble those of Q. pedunculata. 



" o. s. 1 Acorns small and round, sessile in 



some cases, but with short footstalks in 

 others ; the leaves of a darker green, ap- 

 proaching nearer to those of Q. peduncu- 

 lata than in the case of any of the pre- 

 ceding specimens ; though, from their 

 appearance, long footstalks, and large 

 buds, there can be no doubt of their be- 

 longing to Q. sessiliflbra. 



" Q. s. 8. Leaves but little laciniatcd, and re- 

 sembling those of (I. pedunculata ; broad, 

 with long footstalks, pale green. (See fig. 1575.) 



1575 



