THE WALNUT. 



JUGLANS REGIA. 



Natural Order — Juglandace^. 

 (7^^5S_MoN(ECiA. Oro?er— Pol YANDRiA. 



This noble tree, though not a native of Europe, 

 was extensively cultivated in Greece and Italy, 

 at a very early period. Its most ancient names 

 were Persicon (Persian-tree), and Basilicon (King- 

 ly-tree), both indicating its eastern origin. The 



\ Greeks also called it Caryon, from hara a head, 

 because its powerful odour was supposed to cause 

 headache, or from some fancied resemblance be- 



i tween the nut and the human head. The Romans, 

 to mark the estimation in which they held it, 

 gave it the name of Juglans, or Jupiter's mast, 

 from its being as much superior to other kinds 



j of mast, as their false god was supposed to be 

 superior to men. 



Its shade was thought, in Pliny's time, to be 

 injurious not only to the human body but to all 

 kinds of vegetables; nevertheless its nuts were 

 highly prized both as an article of food, and for 

 numerous medicinal properties, especially as an 

 antidote to poison and the bite of a mad dog. 

 The husk of the nut was used as a dye, and an 

 oil was expressed from the kernel, which was also 

 considered a valuable medicine. 



It was customary at weddings in Rome for the 

 bridegroom to throw about handfuls of nuts to be 



