of the county gaol under the direction of the Board of Superintendence.

The county returns to parliament two members, who are elected at Maryborough. Portarlington returns one member. Before the Union the county sent altogether eight members to the Irish parliament, namely, two county members, and two each for the boroughs of Maryborough, Portarlington, and Ballinakill. At the Union, Maryborough and Ballinakill were quite disfranchised, and Portarlington lost one member. The number of county electors qualified in 1834-5 was 1692, of whom 1427 voted at the contested election of that time

On January 1, 1836, the constabulary force of the county included one magistrate, 4 chief constables or sub-inspectors of the first class, and 6 of the second class, 49 constables, and 274 sub-constables, with 15 horses. On January 1, 1838, this force comprehended one sub-inspector, 4 chief constables of the first rate and 4 of the second rate; 1 head constable of the first class and 9 of the second class; 37 constables; 230 sub-constables of the first class and 46 of the second. The whole expenditure on this force for the year preceding January 1, 1838, was 14,3277. 14s. 3d. The total amount of the grand-jury presentments for that year was 19,5667. 168., namely: for new roads, repairs, bridges and roads, 46381. 48. 1d.; for building, repairs, and rent of session-houses, 4271. 28.; for building new gaol, 923. 18.63d.; for gaol and bridewell expenses, 22701. 68. 3d.; for public and county officers' salaries, 21237. 15s. 6d; for the police establishment, 44677. 168. 64d.; for the administration of justice, 480. ls. 8d.; for deserted children and malicious injury to property, 3881. 138. 7d.; for the infirmary and dispensaries, 15287. 14s. 9d.; for building lunatic asylum, 4621. 58. 64d.; for the support of the lunatic asylum, 5877. 98. 2d.; for miscellaneous, printing, &c., 12697. 5s. 4 d. There are in the county a district lunatic asylum for Queen's County, King's County, Longford, and Westmeath; and an infirmary (both at Maryborough); a dispensary and fever hospital united; and eleven dispensaries.

The number of schools in the county connected with the National Board of Education in 1835 was 40, with 43 teachers and 5263 scholars.

History, Antiquities, &c.-Of the inhabitants of this county, in the earliest period of Irish history, nothing cerain is known. At a somewhat later period the county as comprehended in the districts of Leix and Ossory. Ossory, which was originally a kingdom dependent on the greater kingdom of Leinster, was subjugated and annexed to Munster, still however preserving its separate organization as a kingdom. The chieftain or king of Ossory, one of the Macgillypatrick or Fitzpatrick race, stoutly resisted the Anglo-Norman invaders of Ireland in the twelfth century, and attacked Leix, which was then under Dermod, king of Leinster, who had called in the English. He subsequently however made his peace with the English, and managed to retain his independence. The adjacent district of Leix was included in the English pale, and was formed into a county palatine, which passed into the hands of the Mortimers, lords of Wigmore. In the reign of Edward II., O'More, an Irish chieftain, to whom Mortimer had entrusted the administration of his domain, became so powerful as to hold it in his own right, and to be a very troublesome opponent to the English in that part of the pale, and for two centuries the district was the seat of almost incessant war between the O'Mores and the English. It was either just previous to or during this unsettled period (in 1315, or rather 1316) that it was invaded by Edward Bruce and his confederates, who burned the castle of Ley near Portarlington, and a small burgh or town which had grown up under its protection. The district of Leix appears to have continued in a state of precarious independence till the reign of Henry VIII. Ossory also maintained at this time its independence, but its chiefs were usually in alliance with the English. In the reign of Henry VIII. this part of Ireland was again the scene of contest between the governors, Gerald, earl of Kildare (A.D. 1514), and afterwards Thomas Howard, earl of Surrey (A.D. 1521), and the sept or clan_of O'More, but the struggle produced no decisive result. But on the death of Henry VIII., the O'Mores having again rebelled in con junction with the O'Connors of Ofally (now King's County), were defeated by Sir Edward Bellingham, the lord deputy, who sent their chiefs prisoners to London (where O'More died), and re-annexed their territories to the English pale. A new rebellion in these two districts in the reign of Mary

|

was quelled with a severity which threatened to extirpate the inhabitants, and the districts were, by act of parliament, converted into shires. In the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth, the O'Mores were again in rebellion, in consequence of which the county was invaded by the lorddeputy, the earl of Essex (A.D. 1599), who broke the power of the rebellious clan: their ruin was completed by Lord Mountjoy, the successor of Essex.

In the rebellion of 1641, Roger More, head of the now reduced sept of the O'Mores, acted a conspicuous part, and was in fact the mainspring of the rebellion. The insurgents attempted to seize several places in this county: Maryborough and the castle of Ballinakill fell into their hands, as well as Shane or Sion Castle near Coolbanagher, and other places of strength. They besieged the castle of Burros inOssory, but the garrison, consisting of Protestants of Upper Ossory, held out until relieved by Sir Charles Coote (A.D. 1642), who had been detached by the duke of Ormond, then posted with the government army at Maryborough. Shane Castle was retaken by the same officer. On the retreat of Ormond, the insurgents under Preston again overran the county, and Ballinakill, which had been taken from them or given up by them, was again besieged by their troops, but relieved by Colonel Monk: in 1643, it was a third time besieged, and, after a vain attempt to relieve it, was forced to surrender. Burros-in-Ossory Castle was also again besieged by the insurgents in 1642, but with what success does not appear: they took however the castle of Lea, or Ley, near Portarlington. In 1646, the insurgent force from Ulster, under Owen Roe O'Nial or O'Neal, occupied Maryborough and several other strongholds; but the Parliamentarians maintained a strong garrison in the castle of Burros-in-Ossory, by a party of which, in 1647, the neighbouring fort of Ballaghmore, held by the insurgents, was taken. The victors, on their way back, were attacked by a party of insurgents, and lost several men. In 1649, Maryborough and some other places were taken from the insurgents under Owen Roe O'Nial, by the Royalists under Ormond, with whom a considerable part of the more moderate insurgents had by this time united themselves. Shortly afterwards these places were taken from the Royalists by the Parliamentarians under Colonels Hewson and Reynolds. In the war which ensued on the Revolution of 1688, some fighting took place in the county, in which the Jacobites were defeated by William's army.

(Parliamentary Papers; Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland; Cox's History of Ireland; Gordon's History of Ireland: Map of Ireland, by the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge.) QUEENBOROUGH.

KENT.]

QUENTIN, ST., a town in France, capital of an arrondissement in the department of Aisne, situated on the right bank of the river Somme, very near the source of that river, 79 miles in a straight line north-north-east of Paris, or 86 miles by the road through Senlis, Compiègne, Noyon, and Ham; in 49° 51′ N. lat. and 3° 17′ E. long.

St. Quentin appears in the 'Itinerary' of Antoninus, and in the Peutinger Table, under the name of Augusta Veromanduorum, i.e. Augusta of the Veromandui, a nation of the great Belgic stock, inhabiting the country of Vermandois, to which they have given name. The oldest quarter of the town has retained down to modern times the name of Aouste. St. Quentin subsequently became the capital of the county of Vermandois in the government of Picardie. It was the seat of a bishopric, which in the sixth century was transferred to Noyon. In the sixteenth century it was a strongly fortified place, one of the bulwarks of France on the north-eastern frontier. In 1556 it was besieged by a Spanish army of 50,000 men, with an auxiliary corps of 8000 English, all under Emanuel Philibert, duke of Savoy. The small garrison under Coligny, admiral of France and governor of Picardie, made a brave defence, but was obliged to surrender after the complete defeat of a French army, which, under the constable Montmorency, had advanced to relieve the place. It was restored to France at the following peace of Cateau-Cambresis

The streets of the town are for the most part of good width, lined with well-built houses; the principal streets end in a large square in the middle of the town, in the centre of which square is a deep and very curious well. The town-house, an antient Gothic building, forms one side of the square, and near it is the cathedral, another fine Gothic building, remarkable for its elevation and the boldness of

or nearly so, with numerous deep sinuosities and a thin texture, with but little polish on the upper side. Acorns arranged in long stalked spikes. This, which is our commonest oak in England at the present day, appears not to be confined to the colder parts of Europe, as has by some been supposed, for we have specimens before us both from Spain and Hungary, but it is certainly much more common in the north than in the south, where its place is usurped by the next species. It has the reputation of being the true British oak, whose timber is alone suited for naval purposes on account of its durability and hardness; but this is a mere fable, the wood of the next species being as suitable in all respects under equal circumstances. But the timber of the oak, like all other wood, is materially affected by the nature of the soil in which it grows, and this has probably given rise to the often repeated assertion that Sussex oak, which chiefly consists of Q. pedunculata, is the best kind that can be employed in shipbuilding. The species is readily known by its leaves having very short stalks, or none at all, while the acorns are placed on very long stalks. In consequence of the importauce of distinguishing it from Q. sessiliflora, we have thought it desirable to introduce a wood-cut of the plant, common as it is.

The Q. fastigiata of the gardens is a singular variety, with the branches rising close to the stem, like those of a Lombardy poplar.

Q. sessiliflora, Sessile-cupped oak. Leaves on long yellowish stalks, with numerous sinuosities, and a firm texture; much polished on the upper side. Acorns either altogether sessile or arranged in very short stalked spikes. We have already stated that the timber of this has been supposed, although erroneously, to be inferior to that of Q. pedunculata. Experiments as to strength and toughness have shown that there is no material difference between the two in those respects, and the durability of the wood of the sessile-cupped oak is attested by the well known fact, that the roof of Westminster Hall is constructed of it, and not of chesnut, as has been sometimes said. It has been found to be the timber of some of the most antient buildings in this country and elsewhere; an immense beam in an old Shropshire building, now called Stone House, was

| Q. sessiliflora, and the oak usually obtained from bogs, where it must have lain for centuries, has often proved to be the same.

The wood may be easily known by its medullary rays, or silver grain, being so far apart that it cannot be rent, and this gives it quite a peculiar aspect. Q. sessiliflora is found all over England now, but nowhere in much quantity. It however is more abundant in the west than elsewhese, and constitutes the greater part of the oak of North Wales. It is a much handsomer plant than the last, and grows considerably faster, and therefore is by far the most advantageous kind for the planter. Its comparative scarcity at the present day may perhaps have arisen from its having been felled in preference as long as any of it remained in the antient forests, which its superiority in size to the other species would render probable, and not having been replaced, it would thus become gradually exterminated. It appears to be still common over all the south of Europe, where however it is not uncommonly mistaken for the last. The supposed species called Q. apennina and Q. microcarpa are probably varieties of it. What is called the Durmast oak, which has been regarded as a species by some botanists under the name of Q. atrovirens, or intermedia, seems to us a slight variety of Q. sessiliflora, with the leaves pubescent on the under side. It is here in all probability that the classical Esculus of Virgil belongs, for, according to Professor Tenore, a broad-leaved variety, which he calls Q. robur Virgiliana, answers in all respects to the language of the poet, and its acorns are sweet, and eaten like chesnuts at this day in Italy, where they are called Quercia castagnara. (Osserv. sull. Flor. Virgiliana, p. 12.)

Q. pubescens, a native of the southern parts of Europe, has most of the characters of Q. sessiflora, but its leaves are smaller, often quite woolly on the under side, and the lobes are themselves much sinuated. It has been injudiciously confounded with that species, to which it is said to be in all respects inferior in the quality of its timber. It forms a majestic tree, with much the habit of Q. Cerris.

The Q. Esculus of Loudon is, no doubt, the same as the last; but what the plant was to which Linnæus applied the name, and which has been supposed by some to be the Esculus of Virgil, is altogether doubtful. Another oak related to the sessile-cupped is the Q. pyrenaica, or Tauzin, a small scrubby tree inhabiting poor sandy soil in the south of France, and throwing up an abundance of suckers. Its wood is of little value except for the staves of casks. This species is readily known by its grey leaves, the hair of which is remarkably coarse.

b. The Evergreen Oaks (ILICES).

All the European oaks with leaves truly evergreen belong to this section, which however in some respects approaches the mossy-cupped oaks when the latter acquire a semiEuropean habit. In such cases they are known by the scales of their cups being very short, and the toothings of the leaves not bristle-pointed.

Q. Ilex, Common Evergreen Oak, or Holm Oak. Leaves ovate-oblong, acute, coriaceous, entire, or serrated, hoary beneath. Bark even. Acorns ovate, on short stalks. A most variable plant, common all over the south of Europe, where it may be found with leaves varying from being as prickly as a holly to being as even at the edge as an olive, and from the size of a sloe-leaf to that of a beech. It loves the neighbourhood of the sea, and in its wild state generally grows singly or in small clusters, not forming forests. Its wood is very hard and heavy, tough, and in all respects of excellent quality, where its weight is not against it. Its acorns are bitter and unfit for food.

Q. Ballota, Sweet-acorn Oak. Leaves elliptical, coriaceous, entire or serrated, very obtuse, white, and downy beneath. Bark even. Acorns cylindrical, elongated. This evergreen oak, says Captain Cooke, is one of the leading vegetable features of nearly all Spain. The native woods are formed of it in a great measure. As a species, it is quite distinct from the Q. Ilex: the leaves are thicker, more rounded at the point, of a dull glaucous green, and the tree is altogether more compact and of a less graceful form. The great and essential difference however is in the acorns, which are eatable, and when in perfection are as good as or superior to a chesnut. To give this sweetness they must be kept, as at first they have a considerable taste of tannin, which however disappears in a few days. These are the edible acorns of the antients, which they believed

abundance of its silver grain; and there is reason to believe that it is, under favourable circumstances, equal to that of any other species. At least the Sardinian oak, so much valued and employed for ship-building, has the appearance of being produced by it. It is also reported to be much used for such purposes in Turkey and France. It is however probable that the Adriatic oak, which has turned out so ill in our dockyards, is the produce of the same species in an unfavourable climate. But this is however a matter of probability only, and requires confirmation. It is however certain, that the wood is very handsome, and well suited for indoor ornamental work; this has been found to be the case with the wood grown in England. (Hort. Transactions, 2nd series, vol. i., p. 338.)

Q. hispanica, the Spanish Oak. Trunk corky. Branches rather erect. Leaves nearly evergreen, lanceolate, acute, with fine serratures or crenatures, which are sharp-pointed, coriaceous, deep green, glaucous, and downy on the under side. Cups top-shaped, somewhat sessile, with shaggy, prickly, spreading scales. According to Mr. Barker Webb, this plant grows in Spain and by the Algerine river Monchique, and he reduces to it as synonyms the Q. crenata of Lamarck, Pseudosuber of Desfontaines, Ægilopifolia of Persoon, and the Lucombe oak of the English nurseries. He states that its leaves, stiffer fastigiate habit, turbinate cup, much shorter scales, and corky bark, clearly distinguish it from Q. Cerris: as to whether it is evergreen or deciduous, that depends upon the degree of cold to which it is subjected in winter; and he declares that upon comparing the authentic specimens of Desfontaines, Q. pseudosuber, with others cut from the original Lucombe oak, he finds them identical. The latter plant however is stated to have been raised at Exeter from seed between Q. Suber and Q. Cerris, an origin that was impossible in Spain; where however common Q. Suber may be, Cerris is not found in a wild state. We cannot pretend to reconcile these contradictory statements.

Q. austriaca, the Austrian Oak. Leaves on longish stalks, ovate-oblong, slightly but copiously sinuated, downy and hoary beneath; lobes short, ovate, acute, entire. Stipules shorter than the footstalks. Cup hemispherical, bristly. Of this plant, which is found in Austria, Hungary, &c., the leaves are larger and more deeply sinuated than in Q. hispanica, and the acorns are considerably larger; otherwise it

is very like that species. It also approaches nearly to Q Cerris, from which the shallow lobes of the leaves, and the stiffer and more bristly scales of its cups, seem to separate it. Hither is no doubt to be referred the Fulham oak of the English nurseries. That it is distinct from Q. Cerris there is no doubt, but it may be the same species as Q. hispanica.

Q. Egilops, Great prickly-cupped Oak, or Valonia. Leaves ovate-oblong, with bristle-pointed tooth-like lobes, hoary beneath. Cup very large, hemispherical, with lanceolate, elongated, spreading scales. The Morea and adjacent countries produce this valuable tree, which yields the acorns called velani, or valonia, in commerce, of which nearly 150,000 cwt. are imported yearly for the use of tanners, anc sold from 127. to 157. a ton. The tree is reported to be handsome in its own country; but with us, although it has long been cultivated, it is an inelegant tree, of a stunted mode of growth. What has been said of its elegant appearance and so forth, seems to belong to Q. Cerris.

II. Oaks of the Levant.

Little has hitherto been ascertained regarding the species of this part of the world. The French traveller Olivier brought home with him a plant very near Q. Cerris, the mossy-cupped oak, which he reported to be met with throughout great part of Asia Minor, and to furnish the wood employed in the arsenal of Constantinople. His specimens were examined by Lamarck, who called them Q. crinita, but little more is known about the species. Another plant, under the name of Q. rigida, has been published from Caramania, where the oaks are said to arrive at a great size and beauty; and the common gall-oak, Q. infectoria, has long been known. But there can be no doubt that the mountainous regions intervening between the Turkish empire and India produce oaks that require investigation, and three perfectly distinct species have in fact been lately sent from Koordistan. Of all that have yet been found in the countries of the East, we shall give a short account.

Q. crinita, Hairy-cupped Oak. Leaves on long stalks, oblong, deeply pinnatifid, downy beneath, lobes lanceolate, bluntish, nearly entire. Cup hemispherical, downy, bristly. A tree of Asia Minor, found by Olivier, and figured in his Travels,' t. 12, and said to be the same as an Armenian species met with by Tournefort, and after him called Q. Tourneforti; but this is doubtful. It is described as a large tree yielding excellent timber, employed extensively by the Turks in naval constructions. There is however very little in the accounts hitherto given of the plant to distinguish it from the common Turkey oak, Q. Cerris, with which Mr. Loudon combines it, but not upon satisfactory evidence.

Q. infectoria, Oriental Gall-oak. Leaves ovate-oblong, very smooth on both sides, deeply toothed, somewhat sinuated, deciduous. Fruit sessile. Cup tessellated. Acorn elongated, nearly cylindrical. A very common plant in Asia Minor, where its branches are attacked by an insect, the Cynips scriptorum, which punctures them, and causes the formation of the oak-galls so well known in commerce. It forms a scrubby bush rather than tree, and is of no value except for its galls. Its branches occasionally produce large brownish red tubercles, spongy within, which are by some supposed to be the apples of the Dead Sea, whose appearance was tempting, but which contained only dust and ashes.

Q. rigida, Stiff-leaved Oak. Leaves oblong, undivided, with spinous serratures, smooth, glaucous beneath, heartshaped at the base. Footstalks bearded at the summit. Scales of the cup rigid, spreading. A native of Caramania, of Koordistan, and, according to Sibthorpe, of the Morea, but the last is doubtful. It is a handsome-looking plant, so far as can be judged from dried specimens, but nothing is known of its uses.

Q. Brantii, Mr. Brant's Oak. Branches, footstalks, and leaves underneath covered all over with thick short wool. Leaves heart-shaped, ovate, acute, with bristle-pointed teeth, ash-coloured, with starry down on the upper side. This is described in the 'Botanical Register' as being a most remarkable plant; the full-grown leaves being six inches long, including the footstalk, and three inches and a half across at the widest part, which is near the base. They are as downy as those of a young plane-tree. The species appears allied to Q. Ballota, a Spanish species.