240 CORYLACE.E. 



In addition to the hard and durable quality of the wood 

 of many members of this genus, the bark of all the species 

 contains a large proportion of tannin and gallic acid, and 

 is more extensively used in the manufacture of leather 

 than that of any other tree ; the bark of Qaer. tinctoria 

 also affords a very valuable yellow dye, and the oak- 

 galls which are produced by the puncture of certain insects, 

 and are a receptacle for their eggs and larva?, form an 

 extensive article of commerce, and besides being the chief 

 ingredient in the manufacture of ink, are much used for 

 dying black. From the Coccus Ilicis, or Kermes, a small 

 hemipterous insect that infests a species of the Oak, a 

 fine scarlet dye is obtained, which appears to have been 

 known from a very remote period ; the use of this insect 

 has, however, of late years, given place to the cochineal, 

 another member of the same family, inhabiting South 

 America, where it is found upon certain species of Cactus. 



The acorns, also, of the Oaks, besides forming an im- 

 portant portion of the food of various animals and birds, 

 are many of them edible, and a wholesome human food. 

 In Spain they are extensively consumed as a fruit, and 

 we have tasted of some froni that country equal, if not 

 superior in flavour to the finest chesnuts. The species 

 which produce the finest edible acorns are said to be the 

 Quer. ballota, Quer. esculus, and Quer. Grammuntia, of 

 botanists and the catalogues, all belonging to the ever- 

 green section.* 



* According to the author of " Sketches in Spain," the Encina of that country, 

 which bears such delicious and highly-prized acorns, is identical with the Q. 

 Grammuntia of authors ; it further appears that this species prevails throughout 

 the greater part of the Peninsula, and is the natural growth of the soil. It is, 

 therefore, to be regretted that a more appropriate name had not been given to it, 

 as it no longer exists in the locality from whence it took the appellation, and 

 where, in all probability, it had been planted ; the wood at Grammont, near 

 Montpellier, we believe, being no longer in existence. 



