CHAI>. CV.

COftYLA'CE-ffi. GUe'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 Nursery before the year 1723. As a ,j,

useful 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 -Phalae'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. Charhvood of Covent GardenMarket.

1769

32 23. Q. I licifo'lia Wang. The Holly-leaved, or Bear, Oak.

Uinmcation. Wang. Amer., 79. t. S. f. 17.; WilltL Sp PI., A p. 447.; Ait. Hort. Kew„ ed. 2., 5.P- 292.; Smith in Rees’s Cvcl., No. 66.

T™ 2 ™?.' Q. Banister! Michx. Quer., No. 15., N. Du Ham., 7. p. 173., Pursh FI. Amer. Sept.,p. 631.'; ? Q. aquatica Abbott and Smith Ins 2. p. 157.; Black Scrub Oak, Dwarf red Oak, Amer.

Wan g- 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 abouth v. 01 - ^ > but, in favourable situations, it is sometimes found to reach

the height of 8 ft. or 10 ft. “ It usually grows in compact masses, which aretr “Y«sed with difficulty, though no higher than the waist. As the individualswhich compose them are of a uniform height, they form so even a surface,">Uta distance, the ground appears to be covered with grass, instead ofshrubs.” (IV. Amer. Syl., i. p. 83.) The trunk, which is much confined, is co-Ve li *^ e branches, with a polished bark. It has more strength thanwould be supposed from its size, which is rarely more than 1 in. in diameter.

e leaves are of a dark green on the upper surface, whitish beneath, ande gularly divided into 3 or 5 lobes. The acorns are small, blackish, and lon-

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