96. Ctjpumfem {Oak Family).
Corylus, Linn.
637. C. Avellana, Linn.— The Hazel-nut grows at Mount
Pleasant at alt. 4, but a few plants only. I t bears nuts, but they
do not come to perfection.—Hab. Europe, and temp. Asia.
Castanea, Lam.
638. C. vesca, Lam.—The Chestnut grows well to a large tree,
fifteen or twenty feet in height, and fruits, but the few trees in
the Island have been greatly neglected, and several fine ones at
West Lodge were recently cut down. One tree remains at Arnos
Yale.—Hab. Europe, Asia, and N, America.
Quercus, Linn.
639. Q. Robur, Linn.—The Oak was introduced in 1749, more
than a century since, and thrives well on the high land, where, in the
ravines and hollows, it gets sufficient shelter and depth of soil. I t is
abundant, and grows side by side with the Banana, the Calla
iEthiopica, and the Bamboo ; the latter, in some instances, may be
seen shooting up through its branches, and drooping over its topmost
foliage. An oak tree, now growing in the grounds at Government
House, measures twelve feet to the first branch, and thirteen feet
in circumference ; another measures ten feet to the first branch, and
twelve feet in circumference ; while each attains a height of about
fifty feet. The Oak is amongst the thoroughly naturalized plants,
and bears acorns abundantly, which are used for feeding pigs.
The trees are bare of leaf from July to September and October,
when the spring commences. — Hab. Europe, and temp.
Asia, ,
640. Q. Hex, L in n—The Evergreen Oak grows well to a tree
of fifteen or eighteen feet in height, and is also naturalized, though
not so abundant as the common oak.—Hab. S. of Europe.
641. Q. olivaeformis, Michx.—Several fine Moss-cup Oak trees,
about twenty-five feet high, may be seen growing in the interior of
the Island. They flower in October, and bear seed freely.—Hab.
N. America,
642. Qi. Suber, Linn. The Cork Oak grows well, and rather
abundantly, to a handsome tree, full thirty feet in height, and very
branching. The bark does not attain much thickness, but the
timber is very handsome. Bears seed abundantly.—Hab. S.W. of
Europe,
643. Q. sp. P \
644. Q,. sp. P I Several species of oak recently introduced from
645. Qj. sp. P > Kew Gardens, but at present all small plants
646. Q,. sp. ? in the gardens at Government House.
647. a . sp. PI
97. B etula.ce,« {Birch Family).
Betula, Linn.
648. B. alba, Linn.—The common Birch has recently been introduced
from the Boyal Gardens at Kew.—Hab. Europe, Asia,
N. America.
98. C a s u a r in e ^e.
Casuarina, Linn.
649. C. leptoclada, Mocp, near G. muricata, Eoxb.—Red-flowered
Casuarina, or Beefwood; attains to a tree twenty feet in height;
uncultivated and rather common; Plantation, Prospect, &c. Alt.
3'2 to 4. The wood of this tree is used for turning, &c. I t is of a
beautiful red colour, with a grain somewhat resembling raw beef,
hence its name; seeds freely.—Hab. Australia.
650. C. quadrivalvis, Labill.—Yellow-flowered Casuarina; one
fine large tree at Fairyland, about twenty feet high. M. Alt. 4.—
Hab. New South Wales.
651. C. muricata, Roxb.—Beefwood Tree, recently introduced
from the Royal Gardens at Kew.—Hab. E. Indies.
99. SALicACEiE {Willow Family).
Populus, Linn.
652. P . alba, Linn.—White Poplar, or Abele Tree; grows well
and abundantly about the central part of the Island to a tree
twenty feet high. Does not seed, but propagates very rapidly from
the roots.—Hab. Europe, and temp. Asia.