62 THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



adapted to purposes requiring much strength and du- 

 rability ; though it is said to answer tolerably well, 

 if thoroughly seasoned, for the felloes of wheels. 



9. Laurel Oak. (Q. laurifolia, Michx.) — This 

 is a stately tree, of similar dimensions to the preced- 

 ing, which it somewhat resembles, though the leaves 

 are neither so long nor narrow, and are not always 

 entire. It holds a middle place, in its general appear- 

 ance and qualities, between the Willow Oak and nar- 

 row leaved Water Oak. The acorn resembles those 

 of the latter. I am not aware that it has any dis- 

 tinctive name in this State, as it seems to be gener- 

 ally confounded with one or other of the species just 

 mentioned. In South Carolina along a portion of the 

 Pee Dee, it has a local name of Darlington Oak. The 

 English name which I have chosen is only a transla- 

 tion of the botanical name. I believe this tree is not 

 found north of this State, but it is common south- 

 ward to Florida. It is an inhabitant of our Lower 

 and Middle Districts in similar localities with the 

 preceding, but flourishes well in higher and drier 

 grounds, and is a common and much admired shade 

 tree in towns and villages, especially in the lower 

 parts of the State. 



10. Shingle Oak. (Q. imbricaria, Michx.) — 

 This takes the place of the preceding Oak in the 

 Upper District, not being found east of Burke and 

 Wilkes. From thence westward it becomes more 

 abundant along the larger water-courses, especially 

 those which flow to the west, as the Pigeon and Hi- 



