M^ 



DESCRIPTIVE BOTANY. 



History. — The home of these species of hicoria is North America ; they 

 have been introduced by seed into Europe, where they grow and fruit well. 

 Seeds were first planted in Europe in 1629. These are the most important of 

 the hickories. There are several other species whose wood is similar, but 

 which bear inferior fruit. 



Use. — The fruit of the H. ovata and H. sulcata is very delicate, and is 

 valued for a table dessert. The shell is full, and the kernel sweet. Both yield 

 an excellent salad oil, which is obtained by expression. 



The wood splits easily, but is hard and tough, and is used largely in the 

 manufacture of agricultural instruments, axe and hammer handles, and hubs 

 and spokes of carriage-wheels. It is a very valuable material for fuel. 



3. H. olivseformis, Nutt., Britt. (Pecan Nut.) Stem 80 to 90 feet high, 

 and from 1 to 2 feet in diameter ; bark rough and shaggy. Leaves with slender 

 petioles ; leaflets in 6 to 7 pairs, and a terminal one, lanceolate-falcate, acumi- 

 nate, and sharply serrate, on short petioles. 

 Flowers greenish. Fruit oblong, 4-angled, 

 with distinct valves, the green husk inclosing 

 an olive-shaped nut Avith a thin shell ; kernel 

 fills the entire shell, and possesses a delicate, 

 pleasant flavor. 



FloM^ers appear in May. Fruit ripe, October 

 and November. 



Hicoria oliv^foemis (Pecan Nut) 



Geography. — The Hicoria olivseformis is in- 

 digenous to southern North America, and de- 

 lights in a damp rich soil ; it will grow and 

 fruit in the latitudes south of 40°, and north 

 of 20°. 



Etymology. — The specific name was sug- 

 gested by its shape: oUvceformls, olive-shaped. 



History. — Nuttall, the English botanist, 

 first described this tree, whose fruit Pursh 

 It was planted in Prussia, and found its way into England 



sent to Europe, 

 in 1766. 



Use. — The pecan nut is a favorite dessert nut, and has become an impor- 

 tant article of commerce. It is shipped to the West Indies, also to Europe. 

 In its native forests it is highly valued as a mast upon which droves of swine 

 fatten, which are allowed to run at large while the nuts are falling. 



The wood of this tree is white, tough, and durable, and used largely in the 

 manufacture of agricultural implements, and, like other species of the genus, 

 makes excellent fuel. It is characteristic of North America, no wood equally 

 tough, elastic, and suitable for these purposes being known in Europe. 



Order LII. CUPULIFERiE. 



Flowers monoecious ; staminate flowers in pendulous, bractless cat- 

 kins, on last year's branches, or at the base of this year's branches ; 

 calyx usually 5, occasionally 5-12-parted ; stamens 2-20 ; anthers 

 2-celled. Pistillate flowers solitary or clustered, terminating few- 

 leaved branches ; calyx attached to the ovary, 6-toothed or wanting ; 

 ovary 2-3-celled; ovules 1-2 in a cell, pendulous. Fruit, a nut, 

 1-seeded by abortion, 1-3 in a cup or shell. Leaves alternate, pin- 



