CUPU LIFERS.. 251 



Leaves uii longisli petiules, blade oblong, lauceolate, obtuse at the base, sharply 

 toothed, green above and pubescent underneath, resembling the leaf of the 

 chestnut tree. Acorn egg-shaped, deeply set in the hemispherical cup, sub- 

 sessile. 



Geocjraphi/. — It grows in southern Vermont, where it is a second-class tree. 

 It increases in size southward to the southern part of Virginia, where it 

 reaches its full height. It extends westward to the Mississippi, along the 

 ridges that trend through Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. 



Et}jmolo(jij. — Acuminata is Latin for pointed, and alludes to the sharp- 

 pointed leaves. 



Use. — The wood of this variety is hard and durable, making timber that 

 endures tlie weather, and it is much used for rails and shingles. It splits 

 freely, and is highly prized for fuel. The bark is well charged with tannin, 

 and is used in the manufacture of leather. The fruit is sweet, large, and 

 abundant, and is used for fattening swine in Virginia, Kentucky, and 

 Tennessee. 



Var. monticola, Mx. (Rock Oak. Rock Chestnut Oak.) Trunk 30 to 40 

 feet in height, the top made up of straggling, irregular branches, especially in 

 the rocky, hilly localities, where it is found in the northern and middle .states 

 of the LTnited States. Leaves smaller than in Q. priuus, much the same in 

 form, but the teeth are more regular and blunter ; when very young, covered 

 with a white down. Acorns in pairs, on short peduncles, and deeply inserted 

 in the cup, which is clothed with loose scales. 



Etymology. — Monticola is from the Latin mons, a mountain, and cola, 

 inhabit, and is due to the localities in which tliis tree delights. It is found on 

 rocky hills and mountain sides, — sparingly in southern New England, more 

 frequently in southern New York, commonly in southern Pennsylvania and 

 Virginia. The names rock oak and rock chestnut oak are also due to the 

 localities of the tree, and the latter to the shape of the leaf. 



Use. — The bark of this species is rich in tannin, and is largely used in the 

 manufacture of leather. The wood is excellent fuel. 



12. Q. rubra, L. (Red Oak.) Trunk 50 to 80 feet in height, and 3 to 5 feet 

 in diameter. Branches long and spreading. Bark smooth, and dark gray. 

 Leaves smooth, oblong, divided into 3 to 4 pairs of sharply toothed, acute, 

 mucronated loljes, separated by deep and rounded sinuses. Flowers greenish- 

 white, appearing in ALay. Nut ovate ; cup flat, and saucer-shaped Ripe in 

 October The foliage varies considerably with the age of the plant and con- 

 ditions of locality and .soil. 



Var. runcinata, Engl. Sinuses shorter; lobes more u])right ; fruit very 

 Miuch smaller ; cup top-shaped at base. 



Geography. — The Q. rubra is emphatically an American tree, and in 

 planted grounds wiiere it has room it forms one of the mo-st graceful objects 

 of the lawn . it is not exceeded in l)eauty by any of the oaks. It grows through- 

 out northeastern America, an<l west to the Mississippi, an<l .^^outli (l.>wn the 

 Mississippi valley. 



Etymology. — The specific name of this oak, rubra, from the Latin ruber, red. 

 was applied on account of the color of the leaf, whicli after the appearance of 

 frost turns a deep red ; hence also the common name red oak. 



Use. — The tree is highly prized as an ornament in planted grounds. The 

 wood is strong, but has a coarse grain, and does not take a fine polish. It 



