THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 57 



unknown north of this State, and does not seem to 

 be common anywhere. In this State I know of its 

 existence only in the rich swampy lands of the Neuse 

 and Cape Fear and their tributaries as far up the 

 country as Chatham and Orange. The foliage has 

 more resemblance to that of the Post Oak than of 

 any other, for which reason it is, farther south, called 

 Swamp Post Oak. It is also sometimes called Water 

 White Oak. The acorn is almost wholly enclosed in 

 its cup, (whence its name,) by which character this 

 tree may easily be distinguished from all others. It 

 sometimes attains the height of 80 feet and a diam- 

 eter of 2 and 3 feet, and is then a majestic tree. The 

 wood is inferior to that of the two preceding' species, 

 yet is sufficiently compact to be serviceable, if it was 

 more accessible and more extensively diffused. 



4. Swamp Chestnut Oak. (Q. Prinus, Linn.) — 

 Not known north of Pennsjdvania, but is pretty com- 

 mon in the maritime parts of the Southern States, 

 where it is met with in the rich soils of the river 

 swamps. With a height of 80 or 90 feet and propor- 

 tional diameter, a straight trunk and expansive 

 tufted summit, it forms a beautiful and majestic tree. 

 The leaves are 6 to 8 inches long, broader toward 

 the outer end, with coarse rounded teeth on the 

 edges, and pale down underneath, and of that ashy 

 hue which distinguishes all the species of this section 

 of Oaks. The acorns are about 1 inch long, nearly 

 half covered by the cup, and with a stem about J 

 inch long. In economical value this can hold but a 



