44 TIMBER AND TIMBER TREES. [CHAP. 



it ; but, while coinciding generally in this opinion, I 

 feel bound to admit that, during a long experience in 

 working them, I have not been able to discover any 

 important difference between the two varieties. 



We find, indeed, the wood of the two species so 

 closely resembling each other, that few surveyors are 

 able to speak positively as to the identity of either. It 

 is only by tracing the log from the first fall of the tree 

 to the hands of the converter that we are able to say 

 that the timber of the sessiliflora is a little less dense 

 and compact in texture than that of the pedunculata. 



The Durmast Oak is only sparingly met with, and 

 is of very inferior quality. Preference should therefore 

 be given in all works of importance to the two species 

 before mentioned ; and in this there will be no difficulty, 

 as they are easily obtainable. 



It is fortunate that the Quercus Robitr pedunculata, 

 which is believed to produce the best timber, is to be 

 found in greater abundance than the sessiliflora ; and 

 it is greatly to be desired that in any future planting, 

 care should be taken to perpetuate it, although as a 

 commercial speculation the sessiliflora would probably 

 yield the best return, as it generally attains a greater 

 length of clear stem. 



Very fine specimens of these long, clear stems of 

 the sessiliflora species are to be met with in abundance 

 in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, where, upon 

 a rocky subsoil, the Oak trees generally attain noble 

 dimensions, with, however, this drawback they are 

 liable to the cup and the star-shake. Whether this is 

 caused by the rocky nature of the soil, combined with 

 the swaying to and fro of these tall trees by strong 

 winds, or whether it is in some degree peculiar to the 

 species, is not easily determined. I incline, however, 



