VKGETABLES, 



253 



timber is generally worm eaten, or rotten at heart." 

 But it is presumed that this observation refers only 

 to old trees.] 



17. Q, Catesbcei^ sandy red oak. 



Height from 35 to 45 feet, bark black and rough, 

 leaves smooth and shining, tough, contracted by a 

 sharp angle at their bases, has live or six lobes, 

 which are sometimes curved outwardly, petioles 

 very short, acorn almost globular. Grows in Ma- 

 ryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, in dry soils; 

 often found with the black oak, wood of a bad qua- 

 lity, and only used for fuel. 



18. Qiiercus coccincaj scarlet oak. 



Height from 80 to 90 feet, leaves smooth, five or 

 seven lobed, of which the teeth and the summit are 

 drawn to a point, the sinuses circular, petiole very- 

 long, cup turbinated, very scaly, acorn egg-shaped. 

 Grjws in Virginia, and the higher parts of both 

 North and South Carolina; rarely found in the more 

 northern parts. The branches of the red oak are 

 more flexible than the scarlet, the leaves of which 

 are larmier, and are supported by very long petioles. 

 They fall at the approach of winter, the red colour 

 is moderately dark: the form of the acorn, and par- 

 ticularly of the cup, constitute characters so dif- 

 ferent, and so uniform in the scarlet oak, that they 

 ought to be considered as two species. 



The wood of this tree is preferred to that of the 

 red oak, but its bark is more esteemed for tanning. 



19. Quercus palustris, Q, rubra rainosissima^ 

 or water red oak of Marshall. Swamp red oak. 



Height from 35 to 45 feet, very branchy, the lower 



7r 



