USES OF WOOD. 221 



ful qualities, witlicut exhausting its praises ; but 

 "we have said enough, perhaps, to indicate that 

 this noble tree is really beyond praise. Gilpin 

 has some very happy remarks on this subject. 

 Prefacing them by observing that ' amongst 

 deciduous trees, the Oak presents itself first ' 

 for consideration, he goes on to say that ' it is a 

 happiness to the lovers of the picturesque, that 

 this noble plant is as useful as it is beautiful. 

 From the • utility of the Oak, tliey derive this 

 advantage, that it is everywhere found. In the 

 choice indeed of its soil it is rather delicate. For 

 though it is rather undistinguishing during its 

 early growth, while its horizontal fibres straggle 

 about the surface of the earth ; yet when its tap- 

 root begins to enter the depths of the soil, per- 

 haps no tree is nicer in its discriminations. If its 

 constitution be not suited here, it may multiply 

 its progeny indeed, and produce a thriving copse ; 

 but the puny race will never rise to lordly dignity 

 in the forest, nor furnish navies to command the 

 ocean.' 



Gilpin adds a note at this point: 'How 

 quickly the Oak vegetates in a soil it likes, may 



