104 FIRST STEPS IN GENERAL KNOWLEDGE. 



forests of the temperate zone, both in the Old and 

 New World. Oaks and chestnuts are found on 

 the high lands within the tropics, but are unknown 

 on the low lands. Several species of beech flourish 

 far south, occurring in Van Diemen's Land, New 

 Zealand, and the lower parts of South America. 

 The timber is equally valuable when the tree 

 grows in warm countries. There is an astringent 

 principle pervading the whole tribe, which is valu- 

 able in medicine. Near to these, but not belong- 

 ing to Mastworts as you may know by the fruit, is 

 the common walnut, which is a native of Persia 

 and Cashmere, and is greatly valued in those 

 countries on account of its oil, which is employed 

 in cookery, and for burning in lamps/' 



" I did not know that there was such a thing as 

 walnut-oil," said Mary, "until I saw it among 

 aunt's materials for oil painting." 



" Among a great number of foreign plants having 

 a twining or scrambling habit, we find the NUT- 

 MEGS ;* although these have a tree-like growth, 

 and seem to resemble our common kurels. You 

 remember the fruit and leaf of the nutmeg which 



* Myristica. 



