JUGLANS REGIA. Linn. Walnut tree.
Kas-shin, . . . 11110T. Dun . . . ' . KANGR.k. Hu-t'au Heh-t'au, CHIN. Ka botang,. . LADAKH. . . „ Starga, . . .
Akrot, . . HIND., PERS. Than, Khor, Darga, RAVI. Oharmaghz, „ „ Ughz, Waghz, J. regia extends from Greece and Asia Minor, over Lebanon and Persia, probably all along the Hindu Kush to the Himalaya, and is abundant in Kashmir, Sirmur, Kamaon, and Nepal ; and J. arguta was found by Dr. Wallich as far south as Taong Doug.
It occurs wild in the Caucasus and N.W.
Himalaya, and in Jalandhar is cultivated. The trunk of a very old tree is frOm 15 to 18 feet ; wood hard, light, and strong, of a dark-brown colour, beauti fully veined ; receives a high polish, and is used principally for cabinet-making purposes, and for gun stocks ; not subject to worms, nor liable to warp. The tree is found in the Sutlej valley, between Rampur and Sungnam, at an elevation of 7000 to 0000 feet. The fruit ripens well at Pangi, but not much higher ; its pericarp Con tains tannic and gallic acid in abundance, and the nut is emulsive, and very rich in a valuable drying oil.
The husks and root of the walnut both yield a dye, which is much used by gypsies and theatrical performers for staining the skin brown. It is also used by cabinet-makers and joiners to stain white and yellow woods of a dark-brown or black colour, like that of the walnut. In the preparation
of the dye from the husks, they should be allowed to rot, and then boiled in water, adding to the decoction fresh water, according to the colour required to be produced by the solution. The sap of the walnut tree contains a large quantity of saccharine matter ; and in some countries the trees are tapped for the purpose of obtaining the sap, which by evaporation is converted into sugar. It is also, in many parts of Europe and Lie, fermented and made into wine, and a spirit is also distilled from it. Cowley, in his Plants, sums up the virtues of the walnut in the following lines :— On barren scalps she makes fresh honours grow ; Her timber is for various uses good ; The carver she supplies with useful wood ; She makes the painter's fading colours last. A table she affords us, and repast ; E'en while we feast, her oil our lamp supplies. The rankest poison by her virtues dies, The mad dog's foam and taint of raging skies. The Pontic king, who lived where poisons grew, Skilful in antidotes, her virtues knew.' Anglers employ an infusion of the leaves or husks for pouring upon the earth, in order to procure worms, which it speedily brings to the surface.—Royle's Ill. Him. Bet. 342 ; Voiqt ; Roxb.