FOR VICTORIAN INDUSTRIAL CULTURE. 



195 



Quercus Phellos, Linne. 



The Willow-Oak of the Eastern States of North America. 

 The acorns available for food, like those of several other 

 species, for instance, Q. glabra (Thunb.) of Japan. The 

 comparative value of the very numerous cis- and trans- 

 atlantic Oaks, but little as yet understood, either for avenue 

 purposes or timber-plantations, should be tested with care in 

 botanic gardens. Even recently Oaks have been discovered 

 on the mountains of New Guinea. 



Quercus Prinus, Linne. 



The North American Swamp-Oak. A tree ninety feet high, 

 available for wet localities. Foliage deciduous. Wood strong 

 and elastic, of fine grain ; according to Porcher, it is easy to 

 split and not hard. A red dye is produced from the bark. 



Quercus Robur, Linn6.* 



The British Oak. Extending through a great part of Europe 

 and Western Asia, attaining a great age and an enormous 

 size. Extreme height 120 feet. Two varieties are dis- 

 tinguished: — 1. Q. sessiliflora (Salisbury). The Durmast- 

 Oak, with a darker, heavier timber, more elastic, less fissile. 

 This tree is also the quickest of the two in growth, and lives 

 on poorer soil. Its bark is also richer in medicinal, dyeing, 

 and tanning principles. 2. Q. pedunculata (Ehrh.). This 

 variety supplies most of the oak-timber in Britain for ship- 

 building, and is the best for bending under steam. It is also 

 preferred for joiners' work. In Britain it is attacked by 

 Scolytus multistriatus. The long- continued adherence of 

 dead leaves in the cool and here most verdant season renders 

 this Oak not so well adapted for pleasure-grounds as many 

 other, particularly evergreen Oaks. 



Quercus rubra, Linne. 



The Bed Oak of North America. Height 100 feet; diameter 

 of stem four feet. The wood is not of value, but the bark is 

 rich in tannin. Autumnal tint of foliage beautifully red. 

 The acorns, which are produced in great abundance, are 

 relished by animals. 



Quercus semecarpifoliaj Smith. 



In the Himalayas, up to 10,000 feet. The largest of the 

 Oaks of India, upwards of 100 feet high, with a stem up to 

 18 feet in girth. Leafless for a short time. It furnishes a 

 hard and heavy timber of fair quality. 



Quercus serrata, Thunberg. 



One of the twenty-three known Japan Oaks; extending to 

 China and Nepal. A good avenue-tree, though deciduous, 

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