PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



77 



56. (198.) Caryaalha. " Sbell-bark." 



Very common, attaiiiiug its greatest size on rich sand ridges in the 

 bottom lands, where si)ecimens 3 to 4 feet in diameter and 130 feet or 

 more high are not rare. The maximum height attained by this species 

 has not been ascertained, but it is one of the very tallest trees of the 

 forest, the tough and elastic top branches not being liable to be broken 

 by the wind, as is so often the case with tall " Poplars" and " Sycamores." 

 Some tall shell-barks are certainly 150 feet high, and probably more, 

 many trunks, apparently constituting less than half the total height, 

 being 70 or 80 feet to the first limb. The following measurements may 

 in part refer to G. sulcata, it being impossible to distinguish this species 

 from C. alba, except by the fruit and foliage, and some of the measure- 

 ments were taken in winter. 



Flowers April 15 to 20, leafing from the 10th to the 13th of the same 

 month. 



The so-called C. microcarpa, which may be a distinct species, is also 

 found. Dr. Schneck, in his catalogue (p. 500), says: "Heavy damp 

 soil, scarce. Has very little loose bark, one of our smallest hickories." 

 One specimen, however, of what was apparently this form, measured 14 

 leet in girth and was considerably over 100 feet high. 



57. (199.) Carya amara. Swamp Hickory ; White Hickory. 



Not uncommon in the bottoms, growing tall and slender, being occa- 

 sionally 100 feet or more high and 3 feet in diameter. The largest 

 measured was 11 feet iu circumference ; another was 113 feet high and 

 G^ in circumference, the trunk G4 feet. 



58. ( .) Carya olivcvformis. Pecan (pronounced Pe-caimi'). 



Common iu rich bottom lands. This is by far the largest of the hick- 

 ories, being, in truth, one of the very largest trees of the forest. With 

 the single exception of the White Elm the Pecan tree has, in proportion 

 to its size, the most widely-expanded head of any tree, while in altitude 

 and majestic appearance the largest and finest elms bear no comparison. 

 The domelike head may occasionally be seen reared conspicuously 

 above the surrounding tree-tops, even in a very lofty forest, some trees 

 being as much as 175 feet high (by actual measurement) and with an 



