CHAP. CV. CORYLACEjE, QUE'RCUS. 



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£$g 



in proportion to its breadth than that of most other trees, may be another reason 

 why it offers a firmer resistance to storms. Notwithstanding this, terrible de- 

 vastation has sometimes been effected among oak trees by the wind ; and one 

 of the most fearful instances occurred in October, 1831, when a destructive 

 hurricane ravaged a considerable portion of the park of Thorndon Hall, the 

 seat of Lord Petre, near Brentwood. The following account is abridged from 

 that sent to the Magazine of Natural History by J.G. Strutt,Esq. : — " The blast 

 came on about eight o'clock, and in less than four minutes the work of havoc 

 was completed. The wind came from the south-west, and entered the park 

 near the Lion's Lodge, where it threw down a small portion of the paling. 

 It then traversed the park in a varying sweep of about 150 yards' breadth. 

 Near the lodge, several oaks, 60 ft. high, were torn up by the roots, with 

 adhering masses of earth, 14 ft. in length, and from 3 ft. to 4 ft. in thickness. 



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