258 WOODS OF COMMERCE. 



in shipbuilding and Teak has largely superseded Oak. In 

 Lloyd's Register, however, English, French, Italian, Spanish, 

 Portuguese and Adriatic Oak, and Live Oak, Q. virens of the 

 United States, are classed together on Line 2. Though the 

 greater cheapness and lightness of coniferous wood have led 

 to its being now generally preferred in building, Oak is still 

 in request where strength and durability are objects. Large 

 quantities are used for palings, shingles, staves, parquet-floors, 

 wheelwright's work, wainscot, furniture and carving. For these 

 last three purposes the softer, more figured wood is preferred, 

 whilst for gate-posts, doors, stair-treads, door-sills, etc., the 

 harder sorts are employed. The ancient Romans are said to 

 have used the evergreen Holm Oak (Q. Ilex) for axles, and 

 hard Oak is still used for this purpose on the Continent. 

 Walking-sticks are also made of Oak and it furnishes an ex- 

 cellent charcoal. Excellent Oak is imported from Roumania. 



Oak, Zeen (Qudrcm MiMckii Durien). North-west Africa. 

 Height 100110 ft.; diam. up to 6 ft. S.G. when green 924. 

 Breaking-weight per sq. millimetre 7'4 kilos., as against 4'7 7*2 

 kilos, for European Oak. Yellowish or rose-coloured ; pith-rays 

 numerous, broad, close ; heavy, horny, straight-grained, very 

 durable, but liable to shakes and warping. Used for sleepers, 

 bridge-girders, piles, and wine-barrels; and, when winter-felled 

 and seasoned for six or twelve months, is one of the most 

 valuable timbers of Tunis, where it covers about 26,500 acres. 

 In 1883 it fetched on the spot 3s. 9d. per cubic metre; in 1888 

 8s. 9d. 



Oaks in America are somewhat numerous, three well-marked 

 kinds, White, Red or Black, and Live Oak being distinguished 

 in commerce. The evergreen or Live Oak (Q. virens] of the 

 Southern United States, formerly much employed in shipbuild- 

 ing, though smaller than White Oak, is one of the heaviest, 

 hardest and most durable timbers of the country. White Oak 

 is more compact, tougher, stronger and more durable than Red 

 Oak. We will, however, briefly describe the various species 

 alphabetically. 



