949 



Ojc CrcasUtrj? al 3t3ntany. 



[QLT3R 



green, entire spiny or pinnace ; while in 

 autumn, when decaying, they assume vary- 

 ing shades of Drown, yellow, crimson, pur- 

 ple, &c, according to the species. The 

 rouarhness or smoothness of the bark also 

 affords a means of discriminating one spe- 

 cies from another. The cup arises from the 

 hollowing out of the top of a small branch, 

 on the sides of which are developed small 

 leaves in the shape of scales. 



Onerous pedunculata. 

 Few trees possess so much interest as 

 the various kinds of Oak: the historical 

 traditions connected with them, their va- 

 ried uses to mankind, their great age, vast 

 size, and noble appearance in some in- 

 stances, all contribute to render them of 

 more than common interest. The most 

 valuable species, as affording timber, are 

 the European Q. pedunculata and Q. sessi- 

 liflora, the former of which supplies the 

 greater portion of the oak used in this 

 country for shipbuilding and other pur- 



Quercus sessiliflora. 

 poses. There is a considerable difference 

 in the appearance of the wood of these two 

 trees, but, according to Dr. Lindley, the 

 value of their timber for constructive pur- 



poses is about equal. The wood of Q. sessi- 

 liflora, or Durmast as it is called, is de- 

 scribed as darker, heavier, and more elastic 

 than that of Q. pedunculata, less easy to 

 split, not so easy to break, yet the least 

 difficult to bend. These characteristics de- 

 pend in some degree on the small propor- 

 tion of silver-grain clash or flower (terms 

 used by joiners and others to signify the 

 medullary rays of botanists') possessed by 

 the wood of the Durmast in comparison 

 with that of the other kind. On this ac- 

 count, the wood of the Durmast has been 

 frequently confounded with that of the 

 sweet chestnut ; and for this reason it is 

 less valuable for the purposes of the cabi- 

 netmaker than the wood of Q. pedunculata, 

 in which the silver-grain is much more 

 conspicuous. The wood of the Durmast 

 has been stated, on insufficient grounds, 

 to be less durable than that of the Common 

 Oak. The wood of these trees, when stained 

 green by the growth of a peculiar fungus, 

 Peziza ceruginosa, is highly prized by ca- 

 binetmakers and makers of Tunbridge- 

 ware. 



Some of the American kinds also furnish 

 valuable timber. Such are Q. alba, the 

 White or Quebec Oak, the wood of which 

 is used in shipbuilding, and by wheel- 

 wrights, coopers, and others. Q. virens, 

 the Live Oak, also yields excellent timber 

 for naval purposes. The wood of Q Ilex, a 

 j Mediterranean species,is said to be as good 

 ; as that of the common oak. Q. Cerris, the 

 ! Turkey Oak, supplies a wood much in 

 ; favour with wheelwrights, cabinetmakers, 

 turners, coopers, &c. Mr. J. G. Veitch men- 

 tions several Japanese oaks, the timber of 

 j some of which he describes as 'splendid,' 

 ! and as likely to prove equal to any oak in 

 i the world for practical purposes. The 

 False Sandalwood of Crete is the produce 

 of Q. abelicea (!). This wood is of a reddish 

 colour, and has an agreeable perfume. The 

 less valuable kinds furnish excellent char- 

 coal and firewood. 



Next in importance to the wood is the 

 bark of these trees, as from its astringency 

 it is valuable for dyeing and other pur- 

 poses ; while that of Q. Suber, a native of 

 Southern Europe and Northern Africa, 

 furnishes cork. The outer layers of bark 

 in this tree increase annually, and after 

 eight or nine years fall off, but for com- 

 mercial purposes they are purposely re- 

 moved one or two years previously. The 

 bark is removed by incisions round the 

 top and bottom of the tree, and by a long 

 one connecting these two, which allows 

 the bark to be stripped off. The barking 

 of the trees is effected when the bark is 

 most firmly adherent to the wood, in order 

 that the innermost layers of bark may not 

 be injured, nor the health of the tree im- 

 paired ; indeed, it is said that the removal 

 of the corky layers is beneficial to the tree. 

 The layers of cork, when stripped off, are 

 thrown into pits and soaked in water ; by 

 these means, and by placing heavy weights 

 above them, they become flattened. The 

 outer surface is subsequently charred to 

 close the pores, as may be seen in bungs. 



