272 SELECT PLANTS FOE INDTJSTEIAL CULTURE 



The acorns available for food, like those of several other 

 species, — i'or instance, Q. glabra (Thunb.) of Japan. The 

 comparative value of the very numerous Cis- and Trans- 

 Atlantic Oaks, but little as yet understood either for avenue 

 purposes or timber plantations, should be tested with care in 

 botanic gardens. Even recently Oaks have been discovered 

 on the mountains of New Guinea. 



Quercus Finns, Linne. 



The North American Swamp Oak. A tree 90 feet high, 

 available for wet localities. Foliage deciduous. Wood strong 

 and elastic, of fine grain ; according to Porcher it is easy to 

 split and not hard. A red dye is produced from the bark. 



Qnercns Robnr, Linne.* 



The British Oak. Extending through a great part of Europe 

 and Western Asia, attaining a great age and an enormous 

 size. Extreme height 120 feet. Two varieties are dis- 

 tinguished: 1, Q. sessiliflora (Salisbury). The Durmast- 

 Oak, with a darker, heavier timber, more elastic, less fissile, 

 easier to bend under steam. This tree is also the quickest of 

 the two in growth, and lives on poorer soil. Its bark is also 

 richer in medicinal, dyeing, and tanning principles. 2, Q. 

 pedunculata (Ehrh.). This variety supplies most of the oak 

 timber in Britain for ship -building, and is the best for cabinet- 

 makers' and joiners' work. In Britain it is attacked by Sco- 

 lytus multistriatus. The long-continued adherence of dead 

 leaves iix the cool and most verdant season renders this Oak 

 not so well adapted for pleasure-grounds in the warmer parts of 

 the temperate zone as many other, particularly evergreen Oaks. 



Qnercns rubra, Linne. 



The Red Oak of North America. Height 100 feet; diameter 

 of stem 4 feet. The wood is not of value, but the bark is 

 rich in tannin. Autumnal tint of fohage beautifully red. 

 The acorns, which are produced in great abundance, are 

 relished by animals. 



Qnercns semecarpafolia, Smith. 



In the Himalayas, up to 10,000 feet. The largest of the 

 Oaks of India, upwards of 100 feet high, with a stem up to 

 18 feet in girth. Leafless for a short time. It furnishes a 

 hard and heavy timber of fair quality. 



Qnercns serrata, Thunberg. 



One of the twenty-three known Japan Oaks; extending to 



