1 6 Charles E. Bessey 



The Hickories (Hicoria spp.). The fruits are drupes, with a 

 hard flesh which splits at maturity into four segments and sep- 

 arates from the hard, smooth, but usually angled nuts, each en- 

 closing a two- to four-lobed, edible seed. " These nuts constitute 

 the favorite food of squirrels, and are carried awav and secreted 

 in great quantities. Many of these eventually germinate and 

 spring up into young trees. 



Shellbark Hickory (Hicoria ovata (Mill.) Britt.) is common 

 in the Missouri forests, from which" it has been carried into the 

 southeastern counties of Nebraska, from Gage to Cass (48). 



Big Hickory Nut (Hicoria laciniosa (Michx.) Sarg.) occurs in 

 the Missouri forests, from which it has been carried northward 

 along the Missouri River from Richardson to Sarpy counties 



(49)- 



Mocker-Nut (Hicoria alba (L.) Britt.) occurs in the Mis- 

 souri forests, from which it is reported to have moved north- 

 ward (50) into eastern Nebraska (Sargent). 



Pig-Nut (Hicoria glabra (Mill.) Britt.) is common in the 

 Missouri forests, from which it has been carried along the Mis- 

 souri River into eastern Nebraska from Richardson to Cass 

 counties (51). 



Bitter Hickory (Hicoria mini ma (Marsh.) Britt.) is common 

 in the forests of the Missouri River valley, from which it has 

 been carried northward into the southeastern counties of Ne- 

 braska (52) from Richardson to Pawnee, Lancaster and Cass. 



Oaks (Oucrciis spp.). The fruits (known as "acorns") are 

 thin- and tough-shelled nuts, each containing a single, large, ( d- 

 ible seed. They are relished by squirrels and other rodents, as 

 well as by swine, cattle and sheep, and also b\-^deer and buffaloes. 

 All of these no doubt have contributed in some degree to their 

 dissemination, but the squirrels have been the most active agents 

 in this work, gathering and hiding them in many places, usually 

 at some distance from the parent "tree. 



White Oak (Qucrcns alba L.) is common in the Missouri for- 

 ests, from which it has been carried into southeastern Nebraska 

 (53) as far north as Cass County. 



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