THE 
NOETÏÏ AMEEICAN 
S Y L V A. 
OAKS, 
» 
In the greater part of North America, as well as 'in Europe, there is no 
tree so generally useful as the Oak. It is every where the most highly 
esteemed in the construction of houses and of vessels, and is commonly 
selected for implements of husbandry. It seems, also, to have been mul- 
tiplied by nature in proportion to its utility. Without insisting upon the 
diversity of climates to which it is indigenous, we may observe that the 
number of its known species is already considerable and is daily increasing, 
particularly on the Western Continent, and that its varieties are infinite. 
These considerations determined my father, in 1801, after his return from 
the United States, to publish a Treatise containing drawings and descrip- 
tions of the Oaks of that country, which wms favourably received by the 
lovers of botany and agriculture. 
The following extract from his work exhibits a just outline of this 
tree : “ The genus of the Oaks (Introduct. p. 4,) comprises many unknown 
species ; most of those which grow in America exhibit such various 
forms while young, that they can be ascertained with certainty only when 
arrived at maturer years. Often an intermediate variety so nearly resem- 
bles two species, that it is difficult to determine, from the foliage, • to 
which of them it belongs. Some species are so variable, that it is impos- 
sible, by the leaves, to recognize their identity in youth and at a more 
advanced age. Others are so similar, that specific characters must be 
1 
