BIRCH FAMILY 475 
the Southern States, and some other species occur in certain 
parts of the United States. 
The nuts are rich in oil, which is expressed and used as food 
and in painting. The nuts are common on the market and are 
of considerable importance as food. The wood of the White 
and Black Walnut is much 
used for furniture and cab- 
inet work. The wood of the 
Black Walnut is probably 
the most valuable wood of 
the North American forest. 
It is a durable wood, takes 
a fine polish, and is much 
sought for furniture, gun- 
stocks, and for cabinet 
work. 
There are a number of 
species of Hickories, and 
the Pecans and several other 
species bear nuts having 
considerable value for food. 
Hickory wood is very tough, 
and on account of its 
strength, elasticity, and 
lightness, it is the best wood 
Fic. 417. — The flowers and fruit of 
the Cherry Birch. At the left, above, 
a flowering branchlet bearing two stam- 
for spokes of buggy and 
wagon wheels and for ax 
inate catkins at the left and one pis- 
tillate catkin at the right (x4); at the 
handles. It is also the best right, above, a pistillate flower and just 
wood for fuel. below a staminate flower; at the left, 
. : below, a pistillate catkin in fruit and at 
Birch Family (Betulaceae). : : : 
3 : the right, below, a single fruit. After 
— To this family belong the Burns and Otis. 
Birches, Hazelnuts, Iron- 
woods, and Alders. They are trees or shrubs and, except in 
rare cases, are monoecious with the staminate flowers borne in 
catkins, and the pistillate flowers borne in clusters, in spikes, 
or scaly catkins (Fig. 417). The fruit is a one-seeded nut, 
which in the Hazel is of some value for food. The Birches, of 
which there are many species, are the most important genera 
in this family. They are much used for shade and ornamental 
trees, and the wood is used for furniture, barrel hoops, shoe pegs, 
