THE BRITISH OAK. 
3 
specifically distinct; but as we incline to believe them to be 
only varieties — though highly important as such — we intend to 
treat of them as follows : — 
1st. Queecus Robue pedunculata. 
2nd. „ „ SESSILIFLORA. 
3rd. „ ,, INTERMEDIA. 
1st. Quercus liobur pedunculata is readily distinguished in 
trees separate from others by its robust habits, thick, gnarled, 
twisted, and more or less horizontally inclined branches. The 
leaves have comparatively few broad wavy indentations, and are 
set on a short leaf-stalk (petiole) (Plate I. fig. a), the fruit 
being situate on long footstalks (peduncles), varying from two 
to upwards of four inches (fig. b). 
This is the typical British oak, the pride of our sailors, when 
men fought bravely, and did not care to vie with each other as 
to who should make the most secure skulking-places. The 
tree, — 
Whose roots descend 
As low towards Pluto’s realms, as high in air 
Its massive branches rise. The utmost rage 
Of wintry storms howls o’er its strength in vain. 
Successive generations of mankind, 
Revolving ages flourish and decay, 
Yet still immovable it stands, and throws 
It's vigorous limbs around, and proudly bears 
With firm and solid trunk its stately form, 
A mighty canopy of thickest shade. — Virgil, Georg, ii. 291. 
This is the tree that seems to be longer lived than any other in 
Britain, and though it would appear to be the prey of nearly, if 
not quite, two hundred species of insects, it has still had vigour 
of constitution to survive them all, and, in many instances, we 
might point to brave old trees which must have been veterans 
at the time of the Norman Conquest. Now, however, they are 
old and staggy, with hollow trunks truly — but what trunks ! — 
from forty to fifty feet in circumference, presenting the follow- 
ing picture to us as it did to Spenser : — 
There grew an aged tree on the green, 
A goodly oak some time had it been, 
With arms full long, and largely displayed, 
But of their leaves they were disarrayed ; 
The body big, and mightily pight, 
Thoroughly rooted, and of wond’rous height : 
Whilom had been the king of the field, 
And mockel mast to the husband did yield ; 
And with his nuts larded many a swine, 
B 2 
