AMERICAN OAKS 47 



It grows on the high grounds of the Hudson, near Rhinebeck ; near the 

 Falls of Niagara, on the Canadian side ; and at Sandwich, Upper Canada. 

 Michaux adds on Hudson's Bay and in Nova Scotia. 



30. QuERCus RUBRA. Red Oak. 



Q. rubra. Foliis longe fetiolatis glahris obtuse sinuatis, Idbis acute 

 dentatis setaceo-mucronatis, cupula hemisphaerica squamosa basi plana, 

 glande ovata dliptica. 



Q. rubra, Linn. Sp. PL p. 1413 ; Michx. f. N. Am. Sylv. v. 1, p. 125, 

 t. 28 ; WiUd. Sp. PI. v. 4, p. 445 ; Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. v. 2, p. 630. 



Q. rubra, Willd. Sp. PI. 4, p. 445 ; Miohx. Hist. Chenes Am. n. 20, t. 35, 36 ; 

 Michx. f. Hist. Arb. Am. 2, p. 126, t. 26; Pluk. Phytog. t. 54, fig. 4; Ait. Hort. Kew. 

 ed. 2, 5, p. 292; Sm. in Bees' Encyo. 29, part 1st, n. 60; Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. 2, 

 p. 630 ; Nutt. Gen. 2, p. 214. 



Q. rvhra is foimd forming belts, clumps, and open woods in the northern parts 

 of California in conjunction with Q. Oarryana. The same observation made on 

 Q. ambigua is in every way applicable to this species — namely, confined to 

 the interior of the country, few in number, and of diminutive growth to that 

 seen on the Atlantic side of the continent in similar parallels of latitude ; the 

 northern range of this species is 44°, but it does not become in any wise plentiful 

 until 40°, which may be said to be the southern limits of the pine tribe. 



One of the most magnificent of tress, which grows upon all soils in 

 abtmdance, attaining and even exceeding the height of 80 or 100 feet. The 

 diversified form of its foliage, and its large acorns placed in shallow cups, 

 must always render this oak an interesting and worthy object of cultivation, 

 as far as regards appearance ; its timber is, however, of very inferior quality, 

 scarcely fit for any purpose but the making of staves for such barrels 

 as are only destined to contain molasses or dry goods. 



Pursh places it in fertile forests, Canada to Pennsylvania, and in the 

 Alleghany mountains, and says that the name of Red Oak exclusively 

 belongs to this, though in parts of America it is applied to Q. tinctoria, 

 coccinea, falcata, palustris, Phellos, ambigua, and aquatica. 



31. QuERCUS PALUSTRIS. Pin Oak ; also Swamp Spanish Oak. 



Q. palustris. Foliis longe petiolatis profunde sinuatis glabris, axillis 

 venarum subtus villosis, lobis divaricatis dentatis acutis setaceo-mucronatis, 

 cupula plano-hemisphaerica squamosa, glande brevi-ovata. 



Q. palustris, Michx. f. N. Am. Sylv. v. 1, p. 121, t. 27 ; Willd. Sp. PI. 

 V. 4, p. 446 ; Pursh, Fl. Am. Sept. v. 2, p. 631. 



Q. pcdustris, Willd. Sp. PI. 4, p. 446 ; Michx. Hist. Chenes Am. n. 19, t. 33, 34 ; 

 Michx. f. Hist. Arb. Am. 2, p. 123, t. 25 ; Du Roi, Harbk. Baumz. 2, p. 268, t. 5, 

 f. 4 ; Wangenh. Nordam. Holz. p. 76, t. 5, f. 10 ; Sm. in Rees' Encyc. 29, part 1st, 

 n. 63 ; Ait. Hort. Kew. ed. 2, 5, p. 292 ; Pursh, Fh Am. Sept. 2, p. 631 ; Nutt. Gen. 2, 

 p. 214. 



It inhabits poor and sandy or peat soils, wherever the ground is rather 

 wet ; it reaches from 40 to 70 feet in height. The leaves are small and 

 finely divided, the acorns are small also, and produced in great abundance. 

 Although not so fine a tree as the preceding (Q. rubra) yet when growing 

 among other species it produces a pleasing efiect. It is of frequent 

 occurrence. Pursh places it in low, swampy woods. New England to 

 Pennsylvania. 



The acorns of Q. palustris are smaller than those of any other family. 



