CUPULIFERE—OAK FAMILY 
OAK 
Quercus. 
Quercus by some authorities is derived from two Celtic words 
guer, fine, and cuvex, a tree. 
Jove’s own tree 
That holds the woods in awful sovereignty ; 
For length of ages lasts his happy reign, 
And lives of mortal men contend in vain. 
Full in the midst of his own strength he stands, 
Stretching his brawny arms and leafy hands, 
His shade protects the plains, his head the hills commands. 
—VIRGIL. 
The oakis the most majestic of forest trees. It has been represented as 
holding the same rank among the plants of the temperate hemispheres that the 
lion does among the quadrupeds, and the eagle among birds ; that is to say it is 
the emblem of grandeur, strength and duration; of force that resists as a lion 
is of force that acts. 
—Loupon. 
The acorn is the only seed I can think of which is left by nature to take 
care of itself. It matures without protection, falls heavily and helplessly to the 
ground to be eaten and trodden on by animals, yet the few which escape and 
those which are trodden under are well able to compete in the race for life. 
While the elm and maple seeds are drying up on the surface, the hickories and 
walnuts waiting to be cracked, the acorn is at work with its coat off. It drives 
its tap root into the earth in spite of grass and brush and litter. No matter if it 
is so shaded by forest trees that the sun cannot penetrate ; it will manage to 
make a short stem and a few leaves the first season, enough to keep life in the 
root which will drill deeper and deeper. When age or accident removes the 
tree which has overshadowed it, then it will assert itself. Fires may run over 
the land destroying almost everything else; the oak will be killed to the ground 
but it will throw up a new shoot the next spring, the root will keep enlarging and 
when the opportunity comes will make a vigorous growth and throw out strong 
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