DENDROLOGY. 177 



seven leaflets and sometimes of nine instead of five, the invariable 

 number of the shellbark hickory. The barren aments are 

 disposed an the same form, though they are, perhaps a little 

 longer than in the other species. The fertile flowers appear, 

 not very conspicuous, at the extremity of the shoots of the same 

 spring. They are succeeded by a large oval fruit, more than 

 two inches long, and four or five inches in circumference. Like 

 that of the shellbark hickory, it has four depressed seams, which 

 at its complete maturity, open through their whole length for the 

 escape of the nut. The nut of this species is widely different 

 from the other ; it is nearly twice as big, it is longer than it is 

 broad, and is terminated at each end in a firm point. The shell 

 is also thicker and of a yellowish hue, while that of the shellbark 

 nut is nearly white. 



The thick shellbark hickory, as has been said, is nearly 

 related to the shellbark hickory, and its wood, which is of the 

 same color and texture, unites the peculiar qualities of that 

 species, with such as are common to the hickories. It is applied 

 to similar purposes as that of the shellbark hickory. 



Nutmeg Hickory. Juglans myristicdeformis. 



This species is peculiar to the Middle States, though not much 

 multiplied, where it bears the name of Nutmeg Hickory, from 

 the resemblance of its fruit to that of the nutmeg. It is said, 

 however, to abound on the banks of Red River. 



The leaves which are composed of four leaflets with an odd 

 one, are systematically arranged. The shoots of the preceding 

 year are flexible and tough. The nuts are very small, smooth, 

 and of a brown color marked with lines of white ; the husk is 

 thin and somewhat rough on the surface. The shell is so thick 

 that it constitutes two-thirds of the volume of the nut, which, 

 consequently, is extremely hard, and has a minute kernel. The 

 fruit is still inferior to the pig nut. 



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