260 



UNITED STATES. 



The flowing of maple-juice is as completely locked 

 up by continued warmth as by frost, and only flows 

 by the alternate operation of these agents. Yet the 

 same degrees of heat, even after frost, have not al- 

 ways the same effect. Thus, a warm south wind 

 stops the flow^ing more than a cool north-west wind. 

 To judge from sensations, generally a bracing wind 

 facilitates the discharge, and a relaxing wind acts to 

 the contrary. Whether, or how far, electricity may 

 operate in this case, must be left for future inquirers 

 to determine. The juice flows for about twenty- 

 four hours after a frost ; but, when a tapped tree has 

 ceased, tap a new tree, and it will flow considerably, 

 as if a certain quantity was discharged by the frost. 

 The juice flows from all sides of the incision. 



Cut a sugar maple early in the morning, if the 

 night has been cold, and it will appear comparative- 

 ly dry and devoid of juice, in every part of the tree. 

 Cut it a few hours after, if the day is moderate- 

 ly warm, and the juice will issue almost in 

 streams,* 



The guilandia bonduc^ or nickar tree. A fo- 

 rest tree abounding in the western states of America, 

 It bears nuts about the size of a pig-nut, of a deep 

 chocolate colour, and shining appearance. The shells 

 are so thick and hard, that they require to be filed to 

 forward the vegetation : the nuts when parched and 

 ground, are substituted for coffee by the inhabitants 

 of the western country. 



Platanus occidentalism American plane tree, or 

 large button wood. 



* Med. & Phys. Journal. 



