THE TREES OF NORTH CAROLINA. 67 



branches gives them a plume-like aspect very unlike 

 those of the other species. 



The Spanish Oak is found as far north as New 

 Jersey, and southward to the Gulf of Mexico. In 

 this State it is one of the most common forest trees 

 from the coast to the mountains, but diminishes in 

 quantity as we approach the latter. It is often over 

 80 feet in height, with a diameter of 4 to 5 feet. The 

 bark of the trunk is dark-colored, its outer portion 

 (cellular integument) being of moderate thickness. 

 The wood is reddish and coarse-grained, with empty 

 pores. The staves made of it are only adapted to 

 contain coarse articles, but are said to be more es- 

 teemed in the West Indies than those made from the 

 other Red Oaks. The wood is less durable than that 

 of the IVhite Oalcs, and is not much used in building, 

 etc. The bark is held in high estimation for tanning 

 hides, which it renders whiter and more supple than 

 other species. 



A variety of this species (var: pagodsefolia, Ell.) 

 has larger leaves, cut into 11 to 13 divisions, gradu- 

 ally diminishing in length from the lower to the 

 upper divisions. Another variety (var: triloba, 

 Michx.) has leaves with two or three short and 

 rounded divisions at the outer end, but may always 

 be recognized by the gray down on the underside 

 and its accordance in other respects with the common 

 form. 



15. Black Oak. (Q. tinctoria, Bartr.) — A tree 

 80 to 90 feet high and 4 to 5 feet in diameter. The 



