THE WALNUT TRIBE. 101 



mention. Indeed, the order itself is chiefly introduced 

 into this correspondence, by way of illustrating points 

 to be hereafter adverted to. 



A much more uncommon structure than that of the 

 Horse-chesnut is found in the Walnut, with some 

 account of which, as it is so very common and useful, 

 a tree, I may as well fill up the remainder of this 

 letter. 



Although my observations will be confined to the 

 common Walnut, they will also apply to the principal 

 part of the Walnut Tribe, in which are compre- 

 hended all the nuts named by the Americans of the 

 United States, Hickories^ and from which the Red 

 Indian makes his bows. 



The common Walnut is, as you know, a tree of very 

 large size, producing valuable timber, and having, 

 when old, a most majestic appearance; hence Bota- 

 nists have named it the Kingly Walnut (Juglans 

 regia). It bears long pinnated leaves, something like 

 those of the Ash, but placed alternately upon the 

 stem, and ha\dng, when bruised, a strong balsamic 

 odour. 



The chief peculiarity of the Walnut consists in the 

 fructification, which, while it approaches in some 

 respects that of the Oak Tribe (Vol. I. p. 138.), is of 

 an essentially different and very peculiar nature. 



The stamen-bearing flowers are on one part of the 

 branch, and the pistil-bearing on another, as in the 

 Oak and its allies. The former (Plate XXXVI. 2. 

 fig. 1.) are arranged in thick, green, curved, cylindrical 



