98 On a General Introduction of 



80 alone belong to Mexico, all without exception distinct from 

 those of the eastern hemisphere. 



Unlike our home oaks, most of these are evergreen, ruled by 

 that law of nature, which imparts to the forests of the winter- 

 less zones an eternal verdure. How great an acquisition would 

 these trees be to this country ! 



Even the oaks of tropical America and of India, will pro- 

 bably endure our climate, if reared on moist and sheltered 

 localities, most of them being restricted to elevated tracts 

 of the country. But these oaks are not alone for their 

 handsome forms and (what we are missing so much in Australia) 

 for their shade deserving admiration ; but also we may in 

 choosing from such a host of species unite beauty with utility. 



Escident fruits are produced by some of the Mediterranean 

 Oaks (Quercus Ilex, Q. Ballota, Q. esculenta.) 



An other species (Q. Hindsii), of Upper California, furnishes 

 according to Colonel Fremont's narrative the principle vegetable 

 winter food to the Indians. 



The American Oak Chesnut (Quercus Prinos) yield acorns 

 comparatively of large size and also edible, but the leaves of the 

 tree are deciduous. The fruits of any of the species form a 

 staple of food for various animals. 



The foliage of the North American Quercus coccinea and 

 Quercus rubra assume a magnificent hue of red in autumn. It 

 may guide in the cultivation of the American Oak, that accord- 

 ing to Professor Liebmann's observations a heavy ferruginous 

 clay, free of limestone, prevails in their forests. 



Of the Mexican species probably those wooly leaved kinds 

 from higher mountain regions (Quercus spicata, Q. reticulata, 

 Q. chrysophylla, Q. pulchella, &c.) are best calculated for this 

 country. 



We may farther recommend the Willow Oak (Q. Phellos), 

 the Live-Oak (Q. virens), and the Grey Oak (Q. cinerea), 

 from North America. Quercus Skinneri is remarkable 

 for its large acorns, measuring nearly six inches in cir- 

 cumferences. Major General Macarthur, with the same 

 foresight, which he displayed here in lining some of our public 

 roads with Blue-Gumtrees (Eucalyptus globulus) introduced the 

 kork oak many years ago into New South Wales, where bearing 

 now already fruit it may afford the means of raising extensive 

 korktree plantations. The outerbark, which forms the kork, is 

 removed from the stem according to circumstances between 

 every four and ten years. This operation commences after about 

 fifteen years, the tree attaining an age of at least one century. 



