288 CORYLACE.E. 



Nat. Ord. Corylacea. 



Genus Quercus, Linn. Linn. Syst. Monoecia 



Polyandria. 



THE OAK. 



Of this numerous and most important genus, the various 

 species of which are distributed throughout the temperate 

 regions of the globe, Britain can only claim two as truly 

 indigenous to her soil ; these two, however, (if indeed 

 specifically distinct,) are by far the most important of 

 their kind, surpassing all other known species, not only 

 in grandeur of form, bulk, and duration of life, but in 

 the strength, durability, and general excellence of their 

 timber, which for all purposes where these two qualities 

 are essentially requisite, if equalled, at all events is not 

 surpassed by that of any other European tree. Our navy 

 attests its superiority in the construction of ships ; while 

 the sound and uncorrupted state in which it is found 

 in buildings and other works of ancient date, is a proof 

 of its general utility and fitness for every purpose where 

 durability and strength is required. The rest of the 

 Oaks, evergreen as well as deciduous, amounting, we 

 believe, to upwards of one hundred and fifty botanical 

 species, are all of exotic origin, and are distributed in 

 the various regions of the globe either where these are 

 rendered temperate by their latitudinal position, or in 

 tropical climates by their elevation. 



Of the European deciduous species, the next in rank 



