248 CORYLACE.E. 



is little difference in the general form and outline of 

 the two trees when full grown, at the same time he feels 

 " that there is a certain indescribable something about the 

 trees, by means of which he can always distinguish each, 

 without examining either the acorns or leaf-stalks." 



A close examination, we allow, of the two kinds, at 

 least of trees where the peculiar characters of each are 

 most distinctly developed, shows a difference, both in the 

 naked tree and when clothed with leaves, that to the 

 practised eye becomes appreciable and readily recognised ; 

 thus, we find that in Quer. sessiliflora, the growth of the 

 spray, or branching, is freer and less tortuous than in 

 Quer. pedunculata, that the leaf-buds are larger, and the 

 bark in general much whiter in colour; the leaves, also, 

 when expanded, are usually larger, and from the length 

 of their petioles hang more loosely, and present a less 

 tufted appearance than they do in Quer. pedunculate//. In 

 regard to the quality of the timber of Quer. sessiliflora, 

 there are various opinions, some having considered it in- 

 ferior, both in strength, toughness, and durability, to that 

 of Quer. peduncidata, while others estimate their relative 

 properties to be nearly upon a par ; that the latter is 

 the more correct opinion of the two appears to be es- 

 tablished from the comparative trials and experiments 

 that have been made, which show that in strength, elas- 

 ticity, and toughness, the Quer. sessiliflora is fully equal 

 if not superior to Quer. pedunculafa, and were it not for 

 the supposition of its inferior capability of withstanding 

 the vicissitudes of dryness and moisture, that is, its more 

 perishable nature between wind and water, it would be 

 even superior to the Quer. peduncidata for ship-building. 



A further proof that its wood is not generally consi- 

 dered of inferior quality to that of Quer. pedunculata, 



