CHAP. CV.

CORYLA'CETE. QUE'RCUS.

1893

abundant, as the largest tree seldom yields more than a few pints. This oakvaries very much from soil and climate. In Virginia, which is its mostnorthern habitat, the tree is only 40 ft. or 45 ft. high ; and its leaves, whichvary exceedingly, but are generally wedge-shaped, drop at the first frost. Inthe inland parts of the southern states, the tree attains its largest size; buton the sea coast it becomes dwarfish, and the leaves persistent; they frequentlyremaining on the tree for two or three years. In the Carolinas, Georgia, andEast Florida, it is most abundant ; and it is always found in the stagnant poolsand narrow swamps enclosed in the pine barrens. It is one of the Ame-rican oaks mentioned by Catesby, and was cultivated in Fairchild’s Nurserybefore the year 1723. As auseful tree, it has no recom-mendations : the wood istough; but it decays so soon,that it is never used in Ame-rica, where it is not esteemedeven for fuel. The bark con-tains some tannin ; but it isconsidered so inferior to thatof other oaks, that it is neverused by the tanners; and theacorns are so bitter, that evenpigs will not eat them. Whenyoung, the tree is frequentlyattacked by the larva of amoth, considered by Abbottand Smith as identical withthe English Phalse'na (Clisio-campa) neustria L. Syst. Nat.,

818., Smith and Abb. Ins., t.

59.; and our fig. 1769. Thisinsect is extremely abundantboth in Europe and America;and in the latter country it is often found in such quantities in the larva stateas entirely to strip the oak on which it feeds of leaves. There are trees of Q..aquatica in the Horticultural Society’s Garden ; and numerous young plants forsale in the nursery ground occupied by Mr. Charlwood of Covent GardenMarket.

1769

«* 23. Q. jltcifo'lia Wang. The Holly-leaved, nr Sear, Oak.

Identification. Wang. Amer., 79. t. 6. f. 17. j Willd. Sp PL, 4. p. 447. : Alt. Hort. Kew., eel. 2., 5*p. 292. ; Smith in Rees’s CycL, No. 66.

Synonymes. Q. Banisteri IVlichx. Quer., No. 15., N. Du Ham., 7. p. 173., Pursh FI. Amer. Sept.,2. p. 631.? Q. aquatica Abbott and Smith Ins., 2. p. 157.; Black Scrub Oak, Dwarf red Oak, Amer.Engravings. Wang. Amer., t. 6. f. 17.; ? Abb. Ins., 2. t. 79.: N. Amer. Syl., 1. p. 21. ; and ourfig. 1770.

Spec. Char., Sfc. Leaves obovate-wedge-shaped, with 3 or 5 deep bristle-pointed lobes, entire; downy beneath. Fruit stalked, in pairs. (Willd.)A shrub, or low tree, from 3 ft. to 10 ft. high. Introduced in 1800.Description, §c. This very remarkable little tree is generally found about3 ft. or 4 ft. high ; but, in favourable situations, it is sometimes found to reachthe height of 8 ft. or 10 ft. “ It usually grows in compact masses, which aretraversed with difficulty, though no higher than the waist. As the individualswhich compose them are of a uniform height, they form so even a surface,that, at a distance, the ground appears to be covered with grass, instead ofshrubs.” (V. Amer. Syl., i. p. 83.) The trunk, which is much confined, is co-vered, like the branches, with a polished bark. It has more strength thanwould be supposed from its size, which is rarely more than 1 in. in diameter.The leaves are of a dark green on the upper surface, whitish beneath, andregularly divided into 3 or 5 lobes. The acorns are small, blackish, and lon-

6 g 4