DECIDUOUS ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
191 
eight pairs of opposite leaflets, terminated by an odd one 
They contain a very strong aromatic odor, which is emitted 
plentifully when they are bruised. The large nut, always 
borne on the extremity of the young shoots, is round, and 
covered with a thick husk ; which, instead of separating 
into pieces, and falling off like those of the hickory, rots 
away and decays gradually. The kernel of the Black 
walnut, too well known to need any description here, is 
highly esteemed, and is even considered by some persons 
to possess a finer flavor than any other walnut. 
The timber of this tree is very valuable : when well sea- 
soned it is as durable as the White oak, and is less liable 
to the attacks of sea-worms, etc., than almost any other; it 
is, therefore, highly esteemed in naval architecture for 
certain purposes. But its great value is in cabinet work. 
Its color, when exposed to the air, is a fine, rich, dark 
brown, beautifully veined in certain parts ; and as it takes 
a brilliant polish, it is coming into general use in the 
United States for furniture, . as well as for the interioi 
finishing of houses. 
The Black walnut has strong claims upon the Landscape 
Gardener, as it is one of the grandest and most massive 
trees which he can employ. When full grown it is scarcely 
inferior in the boldness of its ramification or the amplitude 
of its head to the oak or chestnut ; and what it lacks in 
spirited outline when compared with those trees, is fully 
compensated, in our estimation, by its superb and heavy 
masses of foliage, which catch and throw off* the broad 
lights and shadows in the finest manner. When the Black 
walnut stands alone on a deep fertile soil it becomes a truly 
majestic tree : and its lower branches often sweep the 
ground in a graceful curve, which gives additional beauty 
to its whole expression. It is admirably adapted to exten- 
