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in variety of uses, number of species and extent of distribution. While a single species of pine gives character to less than one-third of the forest area of the State, the oaks ■dominate not less than two-thirds. There are 20 species in the United States, all of them found in North Carolina, with possibly one insignificant exception. Among these the most important are
The White Oaks, of wliich there are several species, (the most valuable, Quercus alba, Q. obtusiloba, (Post Oak,) and Q. prinus,) forming extensive forests in all sections of the State. On account of its strength and durability and great abundance, its uses are important and manifold, both for domestic purposes and for export in the form of staves and ship timber. The shipyards of Liverpool are already seeking their material in the forests of middle North Carolina.
Several other species of oak are also of wide and varied use, chiefly the Bed Oak, (Q. rubra,) Black Oak, (Q. tincto- ria,) and Willow Oak, (Q. phellos,) w r hich are abundant throughout the middle and western district, and often grow to a very great size, Live Oak, (Q. virens,) is found only in the seaboard region, whose value in ship-building is w r ell known.
Hickory. Of this tree there are 9 species in North America, and 7 of them are found in this State, and three species in all parts of it, and in abundance, and often of great size. But little use has hitherto been made of this tree, except as fuel and for wagons and handles; but being one of the most dense, rigid, heavy and iron-like of our woods, it has recently come into great demand, and many large handle and spoke factories have been erected within a few r years, w T hose products are shipped by millions to Europe, California, Australia and all mining countries especially. The forests of North Carolina will supply this w'orld-wide demand for .many years.
Walnut exists in two species, one, the common Black Walnut, (Juglans nigra,) throughout the State, but most