97 



smootli above, and hairy beneath. The fruit, wliich is borne 

 upon a lon^ stem, is an oblong, dark brown, or black acorn set in 

 a top-shaped, downy cup. The roots are spreading and rather 

 deeply seated, and can bear sea water, at least if covered only 

 during high tide. 



The wood is very heavy, hard, strong, tough, close grained, 

 compact ; it takes a beautiful polish, but is dithcult to work : light 

 brown or yellow in color; the sapwood nearly white. It is used 

 for shipbuilding, and the bark is occasionally employed for tan- 

 ning. It is not abundant enough in North Carolina to be of com- 

 mercial importance. 



Quercus rubra, Linna-us 



(ked oak.) 



A large tree, with dark brown furrowed bark, nearly black on 

 large trunks, and rather smooth branches which form a large 

 oval or round head, reaching a height of 150 and a diameter of 

 7 feet. (Plate IX.) 



It occurs from Nova Scotia, southern New Brunswick, and 

 eastern Minnesota, western Iowa, eastern Kansas and Indian 

 Territory soutii to northern Fh)rida, southern Alabama and 

 Mississippi, and western Texas, reaching its best development 

 north of the Ohio river. A common tree. 



In the coastal plain region of North Carolina it is rare ; somewhat 

 more common in the Piedmont plateau on shady hillsides and 



