THE OAK FAMILY. 



217 



natives of Terra del Fuego, forming large trees. Fagus 

 fusca of New Zealand, and F. Cunninghamii of Tasmania, are 

 also large trees. 



Plants of these are grown at Kew, but, with the exception 

 of F. betuloides, are not hardy, and even it, after standing 

 the winters of twenty years, and attaining the height of 8 

 feet, was destroyed by frost in January, 1867. 



British Oak {Quercus sessiUJlora and Q. pedunculata). Bo- 

 tanists do not agree as to whether the trees bearing these 

 names are distinct species or varieties only. They are, how- 

 ever, found to differ in the quality of the timber,' and in the 

 acorns of the first being without a footstalk, while in the 

 second they hang loose. Both are natives of this country, 

 and throughout middle and northern Europe. The oak was 

 venerated by the Druids, and in ancient parks some trees 

 have attained a great size and age. The principal use of oak 

 timber is for ship-building. The wood of Q. sessiliflora is 

 the heaviest and toughest; that of Q. pedunculata being 

 like chestnut, is much used by cabinetmakers for orna- 

 mental work. Oak bark is used for tanning leather, and of 

 all the substances known for that purpose that can be had in 

 quantity, British oak bark is found to be the best ; but the 

 home supply falls far short of the demand, large quantities 

 being imported from the Continent. It is also of great value 

 in the preparation of dyes. The spent bark of tan-works is 

 of little value as manure ; it ferments and maintains heat a 

 long time, and on that account is used in hot-houses, chiefly 

 for the cultivation of pine-apples. 



Turkey Oak {Quercus cerris). A large and handsome 

 tree, generally with spreading branches, native of the South 

 of Europe, and was introduced to this country about one 

 hundred and twenty years ago. Its wood is much used in 

 turning and cabinet work. 



Cork Tree {Quercus Suher). A common tree throughout 

 all the southern parts of Europe. It has a thick bark, from 

 which corks and bungs are made, large quantities of it being 

 imported from Spain. 



