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natural order of Juglandacece. There are several species, all of them 

 being stately deciduous trees, which attain a large size, and are valuable 

 both for their fruit and timber. Some species are widely distributed 

 through the cooler parts of Asia and are also found in Eastern Europe, 

 while others are indigenous to North America. The Common, or 

 English, Walnut (Juglftns regia) is supposed to have originated in Persia 

 or China, as it is found growing naturally in great abundance in the 

 higher parts of those countries, as also in the Caucasus. Among the 

 early Greeks the fruit was generally known as Persicon, or the Persian 

 Nut, in allusion to the country from which it was obtained. Afterwards- 

 the Greeks called the plant Caryon, because (according to some 

 authorities) of the strong smell of the leaves, which caused heaviness. 

 Other authorities inform us that this name comes from Carya, the 

 daughter of Dion, King of Laconia, who was changed by Bacchus into a 

 Walnut tree. The Walnut is said to have been introduced to Italy in 

 the time of Tiberius, and rapidly became popular with the Romans, who 

 culled it Jovis Glans, or Jove's Nut, and from this the botanical name 

 has been derived. B;y the Romans the Walnut was used extensively 

 upon all festive occasions, being ranked as the Queen of Nuts, and from 

 this circumstance the specific name of regia originated. The English 

 name Walnut was originally Gaul Nut, owingj to the supposition that the 

 tree had been first obtained from France. 



For its supposed medicinal qualities the Walnut appears to have been, 

 held in great esteem by ancient nations, who employed it as a remedy in 

 many complaints. Pliny speaks highly of its virtues, and says, "The 

 more Walnuts are eaten, the more worms will be driven out of the 

 stomach," and he says further, " If eaten before meals they will lessen 

 the effect of any poison that may be in the food." The bark of the 

 Walnut tree was considered to be a sovereign remedy for the ringworm,, 

 and, when chewed fasting, an antidote for the bite of a mad dog. We 

 are informed that Mithridates, King of Pontus, recommended the 

 following preparation as an antidote against poison: Two dry Walnut 

 kernels, as many Figs, and twenty leaves of rue, beaten into a mass, with 

 a grain of salt" This mixture he advises should be used in the morning, 

 and says it will prevent the ill effects of poison taken the same day. 

 Walnuts were eaten to prevent an unpleasant breath after eating onions. 

 The bruised leaves, after being steeped in vinegar, were also used to take 

 away pains in the ears. But, though the Walnut was so highly esteemed 

 foi- its many supposed medicinal virtues, yet the smell of its foliage was 

 thought to be productive of headache and other troubles. For this reason 

 it was considered unsafe to plant trees near dwelling houses or to sit 

 beneath their branches. The Walnut was supposed by the Romans to 

 have a great antipathy to the Oak, and Pliny says that these trees would 

 never thrive when growing near to each other. Some few years ago the 

 opinion was entertained by many British gardeners that Strawberries 

 would not thrive if growing in the vicinity of Walnut trees. 



The Walnut was probably taken to Britain at the time of the Roman 

 invasion, though in botanical dictionaries 150:.' is the date given for its 

 introduction. It appears to have been for centuries a very popular tree 



