10 HISTORY OF FRUITS. 



scribes twenty-eight species of this tree. The most com- 

 mon kind of the English oak produces the acorns close 

 to the branches, without any stalk ; but the species most 

 esteemed for ship-building is found growing in the wealds 

 of Sussex and Kent; and this tree often produces its 

 acorns with foot stalks as long as the cherry stalk. Young 

 says, " Oak is the staple commodity of Sussex, which, 

 from the remotest antiquity, has been celebrated for the 

 growth of oak : it is estimated that not less than from 

 170 to 180,000 acres are occupied by this timber, the 

 quality of which is acknowledged by navy contractors 

 preferring, and in all their agreements stipulating for, 

 Sussex oak." This author adds, that the soil is so naturally 

 adapted to the growth of oak, that if a field were sown 

 with furze only, and the cattle kept out, the ground 

 would, in a few years, be covered with young oaks, 

 without trouble or expense of planting. 



Sir William Ouseley observes, " However replete with 

 interesting objects, the ample field of antiquarian re- 

 search offers but few to our notice under a more attractive 

 form than trees ; whether we regard them as distinguish- 

 ing remarkable spots, the scenes of memorable transac- 

 tions; as dedicated to certain divinities; or as, in some 

 cases, almost identified with those divinities themselves." 

 This is peculiarly applicable to 



the sturdy oak, 



A prince's refuge once, th' eternal guard 

 Of England's throne, by sweating peasants fell'd, 

 Stems the vast main, and bears tremendous war 

 To distant nations, or with sov'reign sway 

 Awes the divided world to peace and love. 



Phillips. 



The scene of King William Rufus's death in the New 

 Forest is still (or was within a few years) indicated by 



