CHAP. VIII.] OAKS. 93 



Robur sessiliflora is slightly inferior to it ; but, while 

 coinciding generally in this opinion, I feel bound to admit 

 that, during a long experience in working them, I have 

 not been able to discover any important difference 

 between the two varieties. 



We find, indeed, the wood of the two species so 

 closely resembling each other, that few surveyors are 

 able to speak positively as to the identity of either. It 

 is only by tracing the log from the first fall of the tree 

 to the hands of the converter that we are able to say 

 that the timber of the sessiliflora is a little less dense 

 and compact in texture than that of the pedunculata. 



The Durmast Oak is only sparingly met with, and 

 is usually of inferior quality. Preference should there- 

 fore be given in all works of importance to the two 

 species before mentioned ; and in this there will be no 

 difficulty, as they are easily obtainable. 



It is fortunate that Quercus Robur pedunculata, which 

 is believed to produce the best timber, is to be found 

 in greater abundance than Q. sessiliflora ; and it is 

 greatly to be desired that in any future planting, care 

 should be taken to perpetuate it, although as a com- 

 mercial speculation Q. sessiliflora would probably 

 yield the best return, as it generally attains a greater 

 length of clear stem. 



Very fine specimens of these long, clear stems of 

 Q. sessiliflora are to be met with in abundance in 

 the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, where, upon a 

 rocky subsoil, the Oak trees generally attain noble 

 dimensions, with, however, this drawback — they are 

 liable to the cup and the star-shake. Whether this is 

 caused by the rocky nature of the soil, combined with 

 the swaying to and fro of these tall trees by strong 

 winds, or whether it is in some degree peculiar to the 



