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1899 | BRIEFER ARTICLES 207 
trunk after branching, as well as the larger branches themselves, in 
these characters. The smaller lower branches readily die off like those 
of Q. palustris but do not leave the prominent stubs so characteristic 
of the pin oak. The tinge of dark color low down on the trunk, the 
thin layer of yellow bark next to the wood, the coarse-grained wood 
itself, the presence of hairs in the axils of the veins of the leaf, the rela- 
tively dull color of the autumn leaves, suggest Q. velutina, but it does 
not have the roughness and blackness of bark which the black oak 
shows very early in its growth; there is much less yellow in the bark 
itself, and it has an acorn different in form and very unlike in the 
scales of the cup. 
When first observed in the fall of 1891, with some misgivings it 
Was called Q. coccinea, partly on account of the acorns, which in gen- 
eral appearance are more like some forms of fruit in this species, and 
» Seen in some of the autumn leaves. Its leaves also divide 
More like those of Q. coccinea and it has the reddish tinge of the inner 
_ bark, but the leaves do not turn scarlet in autumn, the outer bark is 
eae mad much less rough and broken than on boles of Q. 
trunks of meee age or size. It is also far less lichen-covered than 
for the ca coccinea (generally it is comparatively free from lichens), 
‘toak seems preeminently chosen among the black oaks 
OA le which sometimes are so close and large as nearly to 
=~ olor of the bark and at once reveal its specific character. 
thie was thought of and was suggested by others; a cross 
be addeq tite and velutina, though palustris might almost as well 
tion, even if “ t the trees are too numerous to resort to this explana- 
ey had such an origin, which I regard as possible or even 
species. South of the Calumet river near Halsted street 
ccinea. Where first found, at Gardner’s Park near 
rubra ig _. of Chicago, it also grows with Q. nelutina, ce 
Lake Michi He The soil in this place is sandy, an ancient beac - 
StOws in San, very thin and overlying a heavy clay. Elsewhere it 
I. Aside from these three localities, that of Glenwood 
d with scattered trees or areas toward Thornton, I 
elsewhere. But acorns from trees which unfortu- 
