CUPUL1FKK^>. 249 



Acurn siibglubular, twu thirds inclosed in the cup, the oritice of which is 

 fringed with long, tiexible, thread-like processes. 



Geography. — It is found sparingly in western New England and in New 

 York, but abounds in western \'irginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and west 

 and south. 



Eti/molot/i/. — Mncrocarpa, the specific name, conies from tiie two Greek 

 words ixaKp6s, long, and Kapwos, fruit ; hence, Icjng-fruited. 



Use. — This oak is a beautiful, symmetrical tree, and for that reas<jn is to 

 be found in all large collections of trees in planted grounds. 



The wooti is strong, tough, and duraljle. The bark is used for tanning 

 hides. The fruit is highly prized for food for swine. 



7. Q. obtusiloba, Mx. (Post Oak. American Turkey Oak. Iron Oak. 

 Upland White Oak.) Trunk 40 feet Iiigh, 12 to 18 inches in diameter. Bark 

 thin, grayish-white, branching irregularly. Leaves leathery, dark-green above, 

 and grayish beneath, blade cut by deej) sinuses into two pair.s of lobes and a 

 terminal one ; lobes rounded. Acorns small, and deeply buried in the rough- 

 ish gray cuj). 



Geognijiliy. — It is seldom found in the northeastern United States, but 

 abounds in tiie middle Atlantic and southern and southwestern states, east 

 of the Mississippi. 



Eti/moiogi/. — Obtusiloba is due to the blunt, rounded lobes of the leaves. 

 As to the common names, — iron oak alludes to the hardness and durability of 

 the w^ood ; turkey oak is so called because turkeys feed on the acorns ; upland 

 oak takes its name from the localities where the tree grows ; />ost oak is so 

 named because the wood is u.sed for posts. 



Use. — The wood is hard and durable, takes a good polish, and is much 

 used for timber where exposure to the weather is required, — especially for 

 bridges, fence-posts, and railroad ties. The fruit is sweet, and is used for 

 feeding swine; also turkeys and other poultry. 



8. Q. nigra, L. (Black Jack Oak. Oak of the Barrens.) Stem from 20 to 

 30 feet in heiglit, and 6 to 15 inches in diameter, liark very dark; branching 

 irregularly Leaves on short j)etioles, l)la(le firm in texture, wedge-shaped, 

 sometimes .{-."j-lobed ; lobes abruptly pointed and terminating in spines. Acorn 

 globular, lialf covered by the cup. Not abundant. 



(jfogrdphi/. — Ge(jgraphical range is from Massachusetts to the southern 

 States, and west to Illinois. This tree is an important feature in many barren 

 regions. 



Etymology. — Nigra, the s|)eciHc name, is from tiie Latin nigrr, black, niid 

 refers to the color of the bark, as does tiie common name. 



'^'^se. — The wood of this species is too small to l)e valuable for lumber, but 

 makes excellent fuel. The bark is rich in tnnnin, Imt on account of the small 

 size of the tree, it cannot well be olttained in large .piantities, and is but little 

 used. 



9. Q, palustris. l)u Koy. (Tin Oak. Swamp Spanish Oak. Water Oak.) 

 Trunk .'iO to 70 feet liigb.and 2 to 4 feet in diameter, branching low and form- 

 ing a graceful head. Bark smooth and dark. Leaves diviiled into .3 to .'> pairs 

 of lobes, separated by deep, broad sinuses, di.stinguished from (}. rubra by 

 more narrow lobes, and a color and consistency more delicate. Nut subglol)ose ; 

 cup flat. 



