70 



A DISCOURSE 



BOOK I. our common Oak ; whereas there be many species of that goodly tree, 

 """^r^^ though we shall take notice only of the two which are frequent with us. 



These are, the Quercus Urbana, which grows more upright, and, being 

 clean and lighter, is fittest for timber ; and the Robur, or Quercus 

 Silvestris, (taking Robur for the general name, if at least contra-distinct 

 from the rest,) which, as the name imports, is of a vast robust and in- 



8. QUERCUS (alba ) foliis oblique pinnatifidis, sinubus angulisque obtusis, Lin. Sp. 

 Plant. 1414. Oak with oblique many-pointed leaves, having obtuse sinuses and angles. 

 Quercus alba Virginiana. Catesb. Car. 1. p. 21. tab. 21. The white oak. 



This sort grows naturally in North America, where the wood is esteemed preferable to any of 

 their other sorts for building, being much more durable. The bark of this tree is grayish, the 

 leaves are of a light green, six or seven inches long, and four broad in the middle; they are 

 regularly indented almo>t to the midrib. The indentures are obtuse. The leaves have 

 short foot-stalks. The acorns greatly resemble those of the common Oak. 



9. QUERCUS ('PHELLos J foliis lanceolatis integerrlmis glabris. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1412. 

 Oak with spear-shaped, entire smooth leaves. Quercus sive Ilex Marilandica, folio longo an- 

 gusto Salicis. Catesb. Car. 1. p. 17. The willow-leaved oak. 



This species is a large timber tree, and a native of North America. The leaves are long and 

 narrovk', resembling those of our common Willow. Hence its name. Of this sort there are 

 several varieties, which are all included under the appellation of Willow-leaved Oaks. 



10. QUERCUS (ilex) foliis ovato-oblongis indivisis serratisque petiolatis subtus incanis, 

 cortice integro. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1412. Ilex oblongo serrato folio. C. B. P. 424. Ilex 

 arborea. Bauh. hist. The ilex, or evergreen oak. 



This species is generally known by the title of Ilex, or Evergreen Oak; of which there are 

 several varieties, differing greatly in the size and shape of their leaves ; but they all arise 

 from acorns of the same tree, as Mr. Miller observes ; nay, the lower and upper branches of 

 the same tree are frequently garnished with leaves, very different in size and shape from each 

 other ; those on the lower branches being much broader, rounder, and their edges indented 

 and set with prickles, but those on the upper are long, narrow, and entire. The leaves of 

 this tree are from three to four inches long, and one broad near the base, gradually lessening 

 to a point; they are of a lucid green on their upper side, but whitish and downy on their 

 under, and are entire, standing upon pretty long foot-stalks ; these remain green all the year, 

 and do not fall till they are thrust off by the young leaves in the spring. The acorns are 

 smaller than those of the common Oak, but of the same shape. 



11. QUERCUS (g-ramvntiaJ foliis oblongo-ovatis sinuato-spinosis sessilibus subtus to- 

 mentosis, glandibus pedunculatis. Lin. Sp. Plant. 1412. Evergreen Oak with oblong, oval, 

 prickly, indented leaves, which are woolly on their under side, and bear acorns with foot-stalks. — 



