Quercus.] hXXU. CUPULIFEE^. 481 



north of the Peshawar valley at 3500 ft. Arid tracts of the inner Himalaya, on 

 the uppOT Jhelam, Chenab, Eavi, and Sutlej, generally between 3000 and 8500 

 p ^^. Kunawar its lower limit is Chergaon and Panwi, its upper Teling and 



t J •' ■ Holm Oak is also indigenous in the entire Mediterranean region, 

 extending in the west of France north to the Loire, and in a few places even 

 tarther (Sarthe, Pinisterre). Forms extensive forests in Provence, Algeria, 

 bpam, Sicily, Corsica (in the region of F. Pinaster, above the zone of Phillyrea, 

 Arbutus, Ptstada, and below the forests of Pinus Larieio). It is known from 

 Asia Minor, near the Black Sea, and De Candolle quotes itfrom Palestine ; but 

 f^ Tiir^ kno\*n at present there is a gap in its range of distribution between 

 the Mediterranean region and Afghanistan, which seems to favour the main- 

 tenance of Griffith's species, Q. Baloot. There is, however, no essential char- 

 acter separating the Indian from the Mediterranean tree, and I therefore follow 

 T. Thomson, who first identified them (Western Himalaya, 73). The tree was 

 introduced into England in 1581, is commonly planted, and attains a large size. 

 In favourable seasons the acorns ripen regularly at Kew. It is hardy in south- 

 west G'ermany, not in the north and north-east. Fl. April-May. In France the 

 fruit ripens in Sept. (Mathieu), in England in Nov. In Europe the leaves remain 

 two years on the branches. Gregarious, but not often forming dense or pure 

 forests ; in N.W. India sometimes associated with Olea. 



In India generally attains 20-40 ft., with a short straight trunk 5-6 ft. gu-th, 

 but is often seen of larger size. In Afghanistan it is often a large shrub, and in 

 central France it grows in the same manner. It is a slow-growing tree, but 

 coppices vigorously ; there are extensive coppice-woods for fuel and bark in the 

 south of France (e.g., near Draguignan). Seedlings have a long straight tap-root. 

 The bark is light- and dark-grey, often nearly black, tesselated and cut into quad- 

 rangular plates by wavy longitudinal furrows and straight transverse smaller 

 cracks, somewhat resembling the bark of Peptonia buxifolia. Sapwood small, 

 whitish, heartwood dark-brown, often mottled or with darker patches, and in 

 old trees the centre wood often reddish-brown or nearly black, the annual rings 

 indistinct. Pores small, medullary rays very broad (^J line), giving an irregu- 

 larly reticulate appearance on a vertical section. The wood is close-grained, 

 very hard and heavy ; the weight of the European tree varies between 60 and 

 69 lb. per cub. ft. It warps, twists, and splits much in seasoning, but takes a 

 fine polish. Ploughs and other agricultural implements are made of it where it 

 grows in the N.W. Himalaya ; and quantities are imported into the western 

 Panjab from the SuUman range, in the shape of short cylindrical pieces, called 

 Kharanja ha bdzu (arms of oak), to be made into tool-handles. The wood is ex- 

 cellent fuel, and much of the fuel used in Peshawar consists of it. It yields good 

 charcoal. Fences are made of the branches ^idth prickly leaves, and those with- 

 out prickles are stored for winter fodder. The acorns are said to be a favourite 

 food of the large white-faced monkey (Langur) : the acorns of the sweet variety 

 form an important article of food in Spain and Algeria. 



It is not improbable that part of the oak-galls of the Panjab bazaars (mdju), 

 which are given medicinally as an astringent, and used for dyeing the hair, are 

 from this species. 



3. Q. lanuginosa, Don Prodr. FI. Nep. 57. — Syn. Q. Janata, Wall. 

 Vein. Ravj, rianj, rdi hanj (King of Oaks), Kamaon ; Banga, Nepal. 



A large evergreen tree ; spring shoots and young leaves densely clothed 

 with, thick soft rust -coloured or tawuy tomentum. Leaves coriaceous, 

 oblong-lanceolate, dentate with distant obtuse triangular teeth, upper side 

 glabrous, shining, under side densely clothed with thick soft tawny or 



2 H 



