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The walnuts and their relatives may be found in the 
region to the north of the willow family. The narrow- 
winged wing-nut, from China, is here. Of the walnuts 
(Juglans), the English Walnut, native from southeastern 
Europe to China, produces a most desirable nut, often 
called Madeira nut; the Romans introduced it into Italy, 
and from that place as a center its cultivation has spread 
in all directions, both in the Old World and the New; 
the nuts form a common article of food in southern Europe; 
in Europe and northern India an oil, called walnut-oil, 
used as a substitute for olive-oil, is obtained by sub- 
jecting the seed-leaves to pressure. The black walnut 
and the butternut are both wild elsewhere in the Garden, 
and are also represented here by small trees. The pecan- 
nut (Hicoria Pecan), wild in the southeastern United 
States, is another nut of popular favor, as is also the 
big shell-bark or king-nut, of the eastern United States. 
The water hickory, of the southeastern United States, and 
the bitter-nut or swamp hickory, of the eastern United 
States, are both represented, while the common shag- 
bark hickory and the pig-nut grow elsewhere in the grounds. 
The birch family is located along the driveway, west 
and south of the stable, where birches, alders and horn- 
beams are planted; the European hornbeam is represented. 
The American hornbeam is common in Bronx Park, and 
the hop-hornbeam is occasional. Those desiring to study 
the birches (Betula) will find several species available; 
one of these is the yellow birch which grows wild in eastern 
North America, and is one of our most valuable timber 
trees; the wood, on account of its closeness of grain, strength 
and hanes is suitable for many purposes. Another is 
the paper, or canoe, birch, of frequent occurrence in nor- 
thern North America; the wood of this is preferred to that 
of any other tree for the manufacture of spools, and is also 
used in the manufacture of shoe-lasts and pegs; the Indians 
also make use of its wood in the manufacture of sledges, 
and from its tough bark they make canoes and baskets. 
