DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 169 



covered, by which this sort is readily distinguished from the 

 other species. The hickory nuts of our markets are the pro- 

 duce of this tree ; they are much esteemed in every part of 

 the Union, and are exported in considerable quantities to Eu- 

 rope. Among many of the descendants of the original Dutch 

 settlers of New- York and New- Jersey, the fruit is commonly 

 known by the appellation of the Kisky-tom nut.* 



The Pecan-nut, [Pacainer of the French,) [C. olivafor- 

 mis,) is found only in the western states. It abounds on 

 the Missouri, Arkansas, Wabash, and Illinois Rivers ; and a 

 portion of the Ohio : Michaux states that there is a swamp of 

 SOO acres on the right bank of the Ohio, opposite the Cum- 

 berland river, entirely covered with it. It is a handsome 

 stately tree, about 60 or 70 feet in height, with leaves a foot 

 or eighteen inches long, composed of six or seven pairs of 

 leaflets, much narrower than those of our hickories. The 

 nuts are contained in a thin, somewhat four-sided husk ; they 

 are about an inch, or an inch and a half long, smooth, cylin- 

 drical, and thin-shelled. The kernel is not divided by par- 

 titions like most of the hickories, and has a very delicate and 

 agreeable flavour. They form an object of petty commerce 

 between Upper and Lower Louisiana. From New-Orleans, 

 they are exported to the West Indies, and to the ports of the 

 United States.f 



Besides these two most valuable species, our forests pro- 

 duce the Pignut hickory, (C ijorcina.) a lofty tree with five 

 to seven pairs of leaflets, so called from the comparative 

 worthlessness of its fruit; which is very thick-shelled, and 

 generally is left in the wood for the swine, squirrels, etc., to 

 devour. It is easily distinguished in winter by the smaller 

 size of its brown shoots, and its small oval buds. Its wood is 

 considered the toughest and strongest of any of the trees of 

 this section. The thick Shellbark hickory, (C laciniosa,) 



*In some parts, pleasant social parties which meet at stated times during the 

 winter season, are called Kisky-toms, from the regular appearance of these nuts 

 among the refreshments of the evening. 



t N. A. Sylva, I. 168, 



22 



