MONOCHLAMTDE^. 651 



Distribution, cfr. — Chiefly natives of North America, but a few 

 are found in the East Indies, Persia, and the Caucasus. Juglajis- 

 regia, the "Walnut tree, is a native of the countries between 

 Greece and Cashmere. Examples of the 6^t?icra .-—Juglans, 

 Carya. There are about 30 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Chiefly important for their valuable 

 timber, and for their oily edible seeds. 



Carya. — Carya alba is the common Hickory, valuable for its timber, and 

 for its edible seeds, which are commonly known as Hickory Nuts. C. oUvce- 

 formis yields an olive-shaped or elliptical seed, which resembles the "Walnut 

 and Hickory in flavour, and is known as the Peccau Nut. These nuts have 

 the finest flavour of any species of this genus ; they yield a fixed oil by 

 pressure, which is palatable. Both Hickory and Peccan nuts are occasionally 

 imported into this country. C. jwrcina yields an edible seed which is termed 

 the Pig or Hog Nut. It is consumed by pigs, squirrels, &c. Its wood is 

 regarded as superior to that of either of the other species of Carya. 



Juglans.—J. regia, the Walnut, is valuable for its hard rich deep brown 

 beautifully marked wood . It is much employed in ornamental furniture work, 

 and for gim stocks. The seed of this plant is our well-known edible Walnut. 

 This yields by expression a useful fixed oil of a drying nature like Linseed 

 oil. It may be used for burning in 1 imps and in cookery. The bark possesses 

 cathartic properties. J. nigra, the Black Walnut, a native of North America, 

 is also esteemed for its timber. J. alba, the White Wahiut or Butter-nut, is 

 another useful timber tree. The inner bark of its root is used in the United 

 States as a mild purgative. The seed is edible. 



Natural Order 229. Coryla.ce,5 or Cupuxtfee.e. — The Oak 

 or Mastwort Order {Jigs. 1019-1021). — Character. — Trees or 

 shrubs. Leaves {fig. 183) alternate, usually feather-veined {fig. 



Fig. 1019. Fig. 1020. Fig. 1021. 



Fig. 1019. Male flower of a species of Oak (Querciis). rig. 1020. Female 



ilower of the same. Fig. 1021. Transverse section of the female flower. 



287), simple, with deciduous stipules. Flowers monoecious. 

 Male fiowers {fig. 1019) clustered or in amenta {fig. 371); 

 stamens 6 — 20 {fig. 1019), inserted into the base of a membranous 

 valvate calyx, or of scales. Female fiowers {fig. 1020) solitary 

 or clustered, and surrounded by an involucre of bracts {fig. 

 1020), which ultimately form a cupule {figs. 374 and 375) round 

 the ovary and fruit ; ovari/ inferior, surmounted by a rudimentary 

 calyx (y<;^. 1020), 3 {fig. 1021) or more celled; ovules 2 {fig. 

 1021) in each cell or ^solitary, pendulous or peltate: stigmas 

 almost sessile. Fruit a glans or nut {figs. 374 and 375). Seeds 

 1 or 2, without albumen. 



Distrioutiou, ^t. — They abound in the forests of temperate 

 regions. A few occur in the high lands of tropical and hot 



