218 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



Kermes or Holm Oak (Quercus coccifera). A small ever- 

 green tree, native of the countries bordering on the Mediter- 

 ranean, also of Palestine. A bug-like insect {Coccus Ilicis), 

 infests the trees, covering them with a flocky matter similar 

 to the apple-tree blight. The insect is extensively collected, 

 and yields a scarlet dye nearly equal to cochineal, and is the 



scarlet"* mentioned in Scripture. 



Oak Grails (Quercus infectorid). A tree, native of the 

 Levant. It produces the best galls of commerce, which are 

 used in the manufacture of ink, and for dyeing purposes. 

 They are an extraneous production caused by the puncture 

 of an insect, a species of Cynips^ laymg its eggs on the leaves 

 and twiggy branches of the tree, causing an unnatural growth 

 that becomes a gall and contains the pupa of the future in- 

 sect. They are found abundant on oak trees in this country, 

 well known as oak apples, but not of the quality to be use- 

 ful; they are injurious to the trees. 



Valonia (Quercus ySgilops). Also a native of the shores 

 of the Mediterranean and Levant, from whence large quan- 

 tities of acorn cups are imported for tanning and dyeing. 



Belotes (^Quercus Ballota). Native of the South of Europe. 

 In Spain and opposite parts of the African coast it grows 

 abundantly, and the acorns are used for food. 



It is abundant in Palestine, forming a tree from 20 to 30 

 feet high, and 3 to 7 feet in girth, having stout limbs, and is 

 supposed to be the Oak of Bashan. The acorns are large, of 

 a green colour, and remain soft when ripe ; they are sold in 

 all the bazars, and are eaten either raw or boiled. Orna- 

 ments are made of the cups. 



Evergreen Oak (Quercus Ilex). Also a native of the 

 South of Europe, and long grown in this country, being the 

 largest and handsomest of our evergreen trees ; it occasionally 

 suffers in severe winters. 



Abram's Oak. Oak of Mamre (Qwercws pseudo-coccifera). 

 A fine specimen of this grows on the spot where it is sup- 



* Exodus, chap. xxv. ver. 4. 



