254 



THE WALNUT. 



leaves at the extremities of the shoots, and are at no time 

 so conspicuous as the barren flowers. 



The poet Virgil remarks, that when the Walnut pro- 

 duces an abundance of blossom, a good corn-harvest may- 

 be expected, and that the reverse will be the case Avhen it 

 bears a profusion of leaves and few flowers. Agricultural 

 maxims of this kind are frequently founded in truth ; but 

 I am not aware whether or not there are any grounds for 

 considering this opinion correct. The fertile flowers are 



TWIG OF WALNUT. 



succeeded by bunches of smooth nuts, which in their young 

 state are firm, but not' hard, and abound in juice of a strong 

 and offensive odour, which, on exposure to the air, turns 

 dark yellow, and subsequently black. In September or 

 October the outer case becomes mealy, and splits irregu- 

 larly, disclosing the nut, which is too well known to need 

 any description. The latter then falls off, generally bring- 

 ing the case with it. About the same time the leaves turn 

 yellow and fall off, and the tree is more than ever marked 



