DENDROLOGY. 179 



pinnate, and composed in general of six, seven or eight pair of 

 leaflets surmounted by an odd one. The leaflets are opposite 

 and fixed on short petioles ; they are acuminate, serrate and 

 somewhat downy. The barren flowers are disposed in pendulous 

 and cylindrical aments, of which the peduncles are simple, 

 unlike those of the hickories. The fruit is round, odoriferous, 

 of rather an uneaven surface, and always appears at the extremity 

 of the branches : on young and vigorous trees, it is sometimes 

 seven or eight inches in circumference. The husk is thick, and 

 is not as in the hickories divided into sections ; but when ripe it 

 softens and gradually decays. The nut is hard, somewhat 

 compressed at the sides and sulcated. The kernel, which is 

 divided by firm ligneous partitions, is of a sweet and agreeable 

 taste, though inferior to that of the European walnut. The size 

 of the fruit varies considerably, and depends upon the vigor of 

 the tree, and upon the nature of the soil and climate. Some 

 variations are observed in the form of the fruit, and in the 

 moulding of the shell which are considered only as accidental 

 differences. 



When the wood of this tree is freshly cut, the sap is white and 

 the heart of a violet color, which after a short exposure to the 

 air, assumes an intenser shade, and becomes nearly black : hence 

 probably is derived the name Black Walnut. There are several 

 qualities for which its wood is principally esteemed : it remains 

 sound for a long time, even when exposed to the influences of 

 heat and moisture ; but this observation is only applicable to the 

 heart, the sap speedily decays : it is very strong and very 

 tenacious : when thoroughly seasoned it is not liable to warp and 

 split ; and its grain is sufficiently fine and compact to admit of a 

 beautiful polish. It possesses in addition to these advantages, 

 that of being secure from worms. On account of these excellen- 

 cies, it is preferred and successfully employed in many kinds of 

 work. East of the Alleghanies, its timber is not extensively 

 used in building houses, but, in some parts of Kentucky and 

 Ohio, it is split into shingles which serve to cover them : some- 

 times also this timber enters into the composition of the frame. 

 But it is chiefly in cabinet making, that this wood is employed 



