Large British Oaks. 107 



LARGE BEITISH OAKS. 



Modern discoveries have enlarged our notions on the size of 

 trees as well as many other subjects, and it is now no longer a 

 doubt that, in proportions of height and expansion, there are 

 those both in the old and new world that can look down with 

 dimensions of superiority upon our ancient standards, the cedars 

 of Lebanon. 



From time immemorial, the natives of the British Isles 

 have justly boasted of their oaks ; since the days of the Druids, 

 who bore an identical name with them and abode beneath 

 them, down to the present generation. The idea of them is 

 associated with bulk, elevation, strength, durability, and state- 

 liness : they are the monarchs of the forest. Until metal was 

 substituted for wood, the universal testimony of ages concurred 

 in assigning a decided preference to their employment in the 

 most important services. To them, under Divine Providence, 

 has been ascribed not only the feeling, but the actual existence 

 of that national security that England has enjoyed from her 

 " wooden walls/'' Iron, it is true, has recently waged war 

 against oak in several ways — in the construction of our dwell- 

 ings, as well as of those floating habitations or castles that, 

 under various forms, have been applied, in conjunction with 

 steam, to the circulation of commercial enterprise as well as 

 to the "protection of our shores. 



Leaving speculation, however, and coming to matter of 

 fact, while we consign the discussion of the genus Quercus, and 

 the relative merits of its different species to the naturalist, and 

 the comparative growth of other trees in other regions to the 

 traveller, let us descend to some notable proof of what the 

 English oak is capable of producing for our use, in justification 

 of the ground of a preference cherished for a time, " whereof 

 the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." 



What has been remarked of the cow among the " beasts of 

 the field," that it contains no part or property, living or dead, 

 that is not in some way or other convertible to the use of man, 

 may, with little exception, be fairly predicated of the oak 

 among "the trees of the forest." Shelter and shade, and 

 the acorn while living ; bark, fuel, and material of the best 

 and most enduring quality when the axe has laid it low. 

 Whatever of it is undecayed is applicable to useful purposes. 

 The term materies, by which the Romans designated timber in 

 general, is eminently descriptive of the product of this noble 

 and valuable gift of the Creator to man. 



Of the particular value, variety, and extent of its appli- 

 cation some notion may be formed by the selection, among 



