HICKORY 
The stamens vary from three to ten, are inserted on the 
slightly thickened inner and lower face of the calyx. Fila- 
ments short, free ; anthers oblong, two-celled ; cells opening 
longitudinally. The ovary is wanting. 
The pistillate flowers appear in a two to ten-flowered clus- 
ter, borne on a peduncle which is terminal on a leafy branch 
of the year. The calyx consists of a single lobe. The 
stamens are wanting. The ovary is inferior, one-celled, 
inclosed in a slightly four-ridged involucre formed by the 
union of the chief bract and two smaller bracts; the bract 
much larger than the calyx-lobe and the bractlets. The 
ovule is solitary. 
The fruit is a nut inclosed in a four-valved involucre. 
This nut varies in size and shape but when once known is 
readily recognized under all its protean forms. ‘That of the 
Shellbark is typical of them all. 
The autumn color of the leaves is a clear bright yellow ; 
the leaflets frequently separate from the petiole in falling. 
The Hickories range from the valley of the St. Lawrence 
to the mountains of Mexico and traces of the genus are 
found in the tertiary rocks of Greenland, also in the upper 
tertiary formations of Europe. There is a prevailing opinion 
that they are difficult to rear and, to a degree, this is true, 
for the seedlings need protection against the wind and the 
sun. But when this is given they flourish, and a well grown 
hickory is a tree of great dignity and beauty. 
BITTERNUT. SWAMP HICKORY 
Hicoria mtnima. Cdrya amara. 
Widely distributed, but absent from the mountains of New York 
and New England, abundant throughout the Mississippi valley. 
Prefers low wet woods, borders of streams and swamps, but is often 
found on high uplands remote from streams. Reaches the height 
of one hundred feet, has a tall straight trunk, stout spreading limbs 
and forms a broad handsome head. Grows most rapidly of all the 
hickories. 
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