SECTION XII. 



465 



have examined) the very contrary, as we have just now seen, is true in 

 regard to those of Britain. 



Professor Martyn, himself, speaks on the point hypotlietically ; for 

 he merely observes, that " If what Du Roi affirms should turn out to he 

 the case, (not obscurely intimating that the assertion never had been 

 verified,) it behoves the planter of Oak, for timber, to attend to the dis- 

 tinctions given above, and to avoid gathering acorns, for planting, from 

 such trees as have the leaves on foot-stalks, with sessile fruits;" a 

 sentiment in which every person of sense must agree with him. The 

 fact, however, is, that from the best evidence which we possess on the 

 subject, the reverse of what Du Roi asserts, as to the German Oak, 

 holds good respecting ours. 



Lightfoot, a late accurate inquirer, observes in his Flora Scotica, of 

 the spreading Oak, that it is more humble (that is, less tall) than the 

 upright sort, and that timber is harder and higher coloured!' 

 Another of the most correct of our writers, Sir James E. Smith, says, 

 as applicable to both species. Arbor formosa, ligno utilissimo, dure, 

 tenaci. He then adds, as to the Sessile-fruited tree, a priori differt 

 minoris pretii ; that is to say, that the price given for the latter is 

 inferior to that of the former, and, by implication, owing to some cause 

 different from the quality of the timber, otherwise he would naturally 

 have specified it. But the cause is obvious enough, and arising from 

 the form of the upright Oak itself, namely far greater length and 

 consequently value of plank. 



It is with regret that I perceive that some late authors, not less 

 eminent for the science than the practical information which they 

 possess, should have found reason to give to the public an impression 

 considerably different from the above, as to the comparative value of 

 our native species of Oaks. What I have stated, as the result of some 

 observation and experience, I trust they will consider with the 

 same candour as that with which I have endeavoured to communicate 

 it. We can have but one motive, one object in view, namely — the ad- 

 vancement of science, and the improvement of the woods of the king- 

 dom. See Dr Yule's interesting paper, in the Memoirs of the Caledonian 

 Horticultural Society, vol. ii. p. 376. Also the Rev. G. J. Hamilton's 

 Essay on Woods and Plantations, in the Transactions of the Highland 

 Society of Scotland, vol. v. p. 295. 



Note V. Page 295. 



This is the Esculus of Pliny or (^oyos of the Greeks, otherwise the 

 cut-leaved Italian Oak. It is a native of Italy and Spain : the foliage 



2 G 



