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FLORA'S LEXICON. 



ALNUT, BLACK. Juglans Nigra. Class 

 21, MONOECIA. Order : POLYANDRIA. The 



black walnut is found in most parts of the 

 United States, the extreme north and north- 

 east excepted, and the low district of the 

 southern States, where its absence seems 

 to be owing to the nature of the soil, which 

 is either too sandy or too wet. It requires a deep and fertile soil, 

 and the trunk sometimes attains the diameter of 6 or 7 feet. It 

 is one of our largest trees, and yields to none in the majesty of 

 its appearance. The nuts are sold in our markets, and the wood 

 is serviceable for a variety of purposes. 



INTELLECT. 



The walnut, then, approach'd, more large and tall, 

 His fruit, we a nut but some an acorn call: 

 Jove's acorn, which does no small praise confess; 

 To have call'd it man's ambrosia had been best. 

 Nor can this head-like nut, shaped like the brain, 

 Within, be said that form by change to gain, 

 Or caryon call'd by learn'd Greeks in vain ; 

 For membranes soft as silk her kernel bind, 

 Whereof the inmost is of tenderest kind, 

 Like those which on the brain of man we find; 

 All which are in a seam-join'd shell enclosed ; 

 Which of this brain the skull may be supposed : 

 This very skull enveloped is again 

 In a green coat, his pericranium: 

 Lastly, that no objection may remain, 

 To thwart her near alliance to the brain, 

 She nourishes the hair, remembering how 

 Herself, deform'd, without her leaves does show; 

 On barren scalps she makes fresh honours grow. 



ANON. 



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