CUPULIFER.E— OAK FAMILY 



OAK 



Qjcerctis. 



Quercus by some authorities is derived from two Celtic words 

 quer, fine, and ciiex, a tree. 



Jove's own tree 

 That holds the woods in awful sovereignty ; 

 For length of ages lasts his happy reign, 

 And lives of mortal men contend in vain. 

 Full in the midst of his own strength he stands, 

 Stretching his brawny arms and leafy hands, 

 His shade protects the plains, his head the hills commands. 



— Virgil. 



The oak is the most majestic of forest trees. It has been represented as 

 holding the same rank among the plants of the temperate hemispheres that the 

 lion does among the quadrupeds, and the eagle among birds ; that is to say it is 

 the emblem of grandeur, strength and duration ; of force that resists as a lion 

 is of force that acts. 



—Loudon. 



The acorn is the only seed I can think of which is left by nature to take 

 care of itself. It matures without protection, falls heavily and helplessly to the 

 ground to be eaten and trodden on by animals, yet the few which escape and 

 those which are trodden under are well able to compete in the race for life. 

 While the elm and maple seeds are drying up on the surface, the hickories and 

 walnuts waiting to be cracked, the acorn is at work with its coat off. It drives 

 Its tap root into the earth in spite of grass and brush and litter. No matter if it 

 is so shaded by forest trees that the sun cannot penetrate ; it will manage to 

 make a short stem and a few leaves the first season, enough to keep life in the 

 root which will drill deeper and deeper. When age or accident removes the 

 tree which has overshadowed it, then it will assert itself. Fires may run over 

 the land destroying almost everything else ; the oak will be killed to the ground 

 but it will throw up a new shoot the ne.xt spring, the root will keep enlarging and 

 when the opportunity comes will make a vigorous growth and throw out strong 



323 



